'Sheer hell' as roadworks grind town to a halt

Drivers have been left bumper-to-bumper by a spate of roadworks

Multiple roadworks around Long Eaton and Sawley have left drivers in the area seeing red.

Four key roads are shut due to a mixture of planned works and emergency closures, on top of a number of temporary traffic lights.

Drivers are reporting journeys taking over an hour more than usual.

Derbyshire County Council says National Grid emergency cable works near Long Eaton Railway Station have had a major impact.

A spokesman said: “These are not planned works and are the result of an emergency, and have resulted in five-way temporary traffic signals.”

They added that the works are likely to be completed tomorrow.

In addition, a fallen tree blocked Tamworth Road, Long Eaton, on Monday, and Severn Trent’s Sawley treatment centre expansion works has seen some roads temporarily close.

Bus operator Trentbarton says it is experiencing 85-minute delays to its Indigo and my15 service through the area.

Road closures and traffic lights have left drivers seeing red

And the Skylink bus to East Midlands Airport has been diverted away from the queues between Long Eaton Green and the Sawley Aldi Distribution Centre.

‘Total gridlock’

A Trentbarton spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry that some of our customers have faced delays today. We share their frustration, as the causes are completely beyond our control.

“We are diverting Skylink Nottingham, which misses some stops, but will help keep that service flowing, and all our drivers are doing everything they can.”

Councillor Alan Chewings, chairman of Sawley Parish Council, said: “Sawley and surrounding areas have become a total gridlock, with journeys that normally take a few minutes taking nearly an hour.

“I was previously told that county highways would ensure that work would only be permitted as to avoid multiple works being carried out.

“That is not the case today. It’s sheer hell for local residents and businesses.”

Sawley resident Judy Kilbourne said: “The situation is ridiculous with the amount of roadworks around Sawley. It is getting to be too regular.

“This morning there was traffic queuing on my street, which is a side street.”

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