Warning sign as traffic lights fail

3:55pm Wednesday 15th November 2006

SEVERN Trent's roadworks in St Andrew's Road and now Court Road are causing chaos.

For the last six weeks, long stretches of the road have been dug up, with temporary traffic lights in operation.

“It’s a nightmare when the lights aren’t working. You don’t know until you are sat there waiting for ages with lots of other cars in front and behind,”

Hilda Bilby

Drivers report lights fail frequently, causing problems.

"It's a nightmare when the lights aren't working. You don't know until you are sat there waiting for ages with lots of other cars in front and behind," said Hilda Bilby, of Fruitlands.

Mrs Bilby said on Sunday, she had been frightened when, having been told the lights weren't working by a passer-by, she had pulled out to drive past the road works and met another car coming straight towards her.

"I thought I had right of way but the other driver seemed aggressive, revving his engine. I thought he was going to drive into me and force my car out of the way," she said.

The lights are so far apart, it is impossible for drivers to check whether the road is clear.

"I'm amazed there hasn't been an accident. It is so dangerous. I worry about insurance. If there's an accident whose fault is it? Who has right of way?" asked Mrs Bilby.

The roadworks started near the entrance to QinetiQ in September and are now in front of the former garage on Court Road.

Severn Trent spokesman Ben Smallman said: "We're liaising with the contractors about this problem and we'll make sure the lights will be working from now on. We realise it's been causing problems and we apologise."

The work was part of a £1.7 million project to replace leaky Victorian water mains and would carry on for some weeks.