Posted on Friday 11th February 2022
Local county councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council deputy leader Philip White and local county councillor Jeremy Pert
A road scheme to create a roundabout providing access to a job boosting business development north of Stafford begins this Sunday.
Commercial property developer, Stoford is building a new 670,000sq ft storage and distribution centre at Stafford North Business Park, off the A34, on behalf of the UK's leading pet care business, Pets at Home. The development is expected to employ more than 750 people when it opens later this year.
Stoford is funding the construction of a new roundabout on the A34 north of Redhill to provide access to the development and ensure continued traffic flow for traffic.
The scheme will take 18 months to complete and begins this Sunday February 13. While traffic flow in both directions will be maintained for most of the scheme, some overnight closures will be needed and publicised closer to the time.
The first overnight closure takes place in both directions on February 13 between Yarlet Lane and Redhill roundabout, from 8pm until 6am, The second will be on the same stretch of road on February 28, from 8pm until 6am on March 1. Access to properties will be maintained.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams said:
This is a significant business development which will bring hundreds of jobs to Staffordshire. It is in a prime location with excellent connectivity on the A34 and close to the M6 J14.
This will be a major road project but vital in providing adequate access to the development and maintaining good traffic flow to traffic on the A34.
We understand that this follows on quickly from the junction scheme south of this site for the new housing development and would again thank people for their patience while work is carried out.
The company is keen to move forward with the scheme as soon as possible so it can be operational at the earliest opportunity.”
Throughout the scheme traffic management will be in place and include a lowered temporary speed limit.
Whitgreave Lane will be closed at its junction with the A34 from March 24 for seven months. This is a reduction of seven months on the original scheme plans. From October 2022 until the end of May 2023, Whitgreave Lane will reopen with left in/left out restrictions using the A34 northbound lanes only.
Lane closures will be necessary, and a contraflow system will be put in place for approximately 12 months. Bus stops at Redhill Farm and Whitgreave Lane will not be operational during the scheme, though pedestrian access along the A34 will be maintained throughout.
People will be able to find out the latest information at: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/a34stoneroad