‘UNBEARABLE’ delays and gridlock through Dunchurch came to an end on Friday (September 9) when repairs to the A4071 finished.
The road reopened shortly before Friday’s 3pm target after four weeks of resurfacing work – which have clashed with back-to-school week to create traffic chaos since Monday (September 5).
With only one main route open south to the A45 – through Dunchurch – angry motorists contacted The Observer asking why the £186,000 work took so long, and why it overlapped with the school term.
A Warwickshire County Council spokesperson said: “We aim to do big works such as this in the school holidays wherever possible.
“However sometimes it is not possible to complete works in this period, and there is necessary but unfortunate overlap, which has been the case with the A4071.
“Statistically the summer holidays is a quieter period and we were able to bring forward the work so it didn’t impact too much on the new school year.
“Adequate workers were assigned to complete the scheme.”
The council added the work was needed because the road had “reached the end of its serviceable life”.
A Rugby resident who did not wish to be named said: “The council should stand up and offer an apology to all the people of Rugby who have been inconvenienced by these pointless road works that have made so many people late, plus the traffic chaos in Dunchurch as a consequence.
“As for the timing, I feel whoever is responsible should be bought to book.”
Another said: “Would it not be possible to think a little more carefully when planning roadworks on vital routes, or even to devote just a few more resources to get things done more efficiently?”
And the boss of the Furniture Gallery – a store based on the closed stretch of road – said the work took longer than seemed necessary.
Anthony Cole told The Observer: “You would have thought they would have a bigger team to get it completed more quickly, considering it’s a main artery into Rugby.”
