‘UNBEARABLE’ delays and congestion through Dunchurch have greeted motorists this week as ongoing repairs to the A4071 clashed with the beginning of the school year to create traffic chaos.
Resurfacing work to the stretch of road which links the B4642 Coventry Road to the A45 began on August 15 and is scheduled to finish on Friday (September 9).
But the road’s four-week closure has left only one main route out of the south of Rugby to the A45, through Dunchurch – a route which has been gridlocked during rush hours this week.
Angry motorists have contacted The Observer asking why the work is taking so long – and why it was planned to overlap with school term-time.
A commuter from Rugby who did not wish to be named said: “I am one of hundreds – possibly thousands – of commuters who have found this week to be unbearable.
“Any traffic trying to travel out of the south side of Rugby has little practical choice but to queue through Dunchurch for up to half an hour.
“I find this week’s situation totally unacceptable when this chaos could have been avoided by a bit of common sense and planning.
“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?”
The boss of the Furniture Gallery – a store based on the closed stretch of road – said the work was taking longer than seemed necessary.
Anthony Cole told The Observer: “From what I can see, there’s only around four people actually working on the road, and they’re normally gone by around 3.30pm.
“You would have thought they would have a bigger team to get it completed more quickly, considering it’s a main artery into Rugby.
“I think it’s a bit of a cheap fix.”
A general statement released by Warwickshire County Council last week said: “The closure is required to facilitate carriageway resurfacing works.
“It is anticipated that the works will be completed by Friday September 9.
“The Council regrets any inconvenience that may be caused.”
The Council had not responded to a request for further comment when The Observer went to press.
