A major highways improvements scheme on the A34 Talke Road in Newcastle is due to start on Monday 11 March.

The £375,000 scheme is being carried out by Staffordshire County Council and has been funded through the Department for Transport’s pothole fund.  The funding is in addition to a wider £30 million investment by the county council into its roads over the next two years.

Work is taking place at the approach to Bradwell Hospital and includes resurfacing, along with repairs to drainage systems, kerbing and ironwork where required. The scheme is expected to take around three to four weeks to complete.

To ensure the work can be carried out safely and to minimise disruption, temporary traffic lights will be in operation, along with a combination of temporary road and lane closures.  From the week starting 25 March, some overnight road closures from 7pm to 6am will also be required for resurfacing.  A signed diversion will be in place during this phase of the work, however access for businesses and properties will be maintained where possible.

David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council said: “We know that good roads are essential for people and for our local economy, which is why we’ll be spending around £30 million in highways over the next two years.

“The A34 Talke Road is one of the main roads into Newcastle town and the impact of large volumes of car and heavy goods vehicles means it is now in need of resurfacing.  Once complete, drivers can look forward to smoother journeys and far fewer roadworks on the road for years to come.

“As always, our crews will be doing their best to get the work done as efficiently as possible, while keeping any disruption to a minimum.  I’d ask people travelling in the area to allow extra time for their journeys and thank them for their co-operation while the work takes place.”