£2m highways job starts next month

A £2 million highways project that will support the regeneration of a derelict site in Stafford is due to start next month.

Staffordshire County Council will be carrying out the work which will serve the St George’s Park development.

A total of 250 houses and 120 apartments will be built on the site of the former mental asylum, a Grade II listed building that was devastated by a fire in March 2010.

The highways work will be funded entirely by developer Bovis Homes.

County councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said: “This is a major highways scheme that will support one of Stafford’s biggest redevelopment projects.

"It will transform a derelict site into a thriving new community, right on the town centre’s doorstep. This will not only greatly improve the way the area looks it will also play a key role in boosting footfall, and subsequently trade. This is vital to supporting our local economy during challenging financial times.

As part of the scheme Queensway will be widened to create additional lanes so motorists can turn into the housing estate and Kingsmead car park.

A new signalised junction will also be installed on the A34 incorporating the existing access to the car park.

A link road will lead into the housing estate and a bridge will be built over Pearl Brook.

The road will be resurfaced and a new footpath and cycle route will link in to Gaol Square, the town centre, nature reserve and the residential development.

The team will also install energy – and money – saving traffic signals as well as new street lights and signs.

Preparation work will start on May 8 with the main part of the project getting underway on May 28. It is expected to finish around the end of November.