Residents say plans to replace a gas main and shut busy stretches of the A50 for two months will bring their village to a standstill.

People living in Blythe Bridge have received a letter warning them the works are due to begin on 12th June and last for more than a month.

The main road running through the village will form part of the diversion route, but residents say the scheme doesn't take into consideration how narrow the road is and the extra traffic could mean people struggle to get to work and medical appointments on time.

It comes just weeks after road works on Uttoxeter Road have caused months of disruption in the area.

Resident Pat Etemad said the company hadn't given residents enough notice about what was happening, or provided full details of what is happening.

She said: "The short notice doesn't give you much chance to challenge the plans.

"They're going to try and send A50 traffic through Blythe Bridge village, and it won't work basically.

Work is set to begin on 12 June (Nub News).

"We've had six months of disruption, from November until May, for pavement replacements when the Blythe Bridge part of the old Uttoxeter Road was closed and it caused back-ups all over the place.

"But to actually stop traffic using the A50 – either partially or at times completely – it's going to be gridlock. The A50 is already way overloaded because it's a main artery.

"At peak times it's queuing in all directions at the roundabout where they want traffic to rejoin it, and if they want to close that section and re-route it through the village it will cause complete gridlock.

"People won't be able to get out to work, to pick children up or go for hospital appointments."

She said when she rang Cadent to enquire about it, she was told the scheme was still being drawn up – despite the works being due to start in less than a fortnight.

She added: "There's no real details on what direction the traffic flow is going to be in, which lanes are going to be closed and in which direction, that kind of thing."

This comes as work on part of Uttoxeter Road also affected the village earlier this year (Nub News).

A letter sent to residents – seen by the LDRS – states: "Cadent will be commencing work to replace an aging medium pressure gas main, situated in a section of the A50 Blythe Bridge.

"Our work will start on 12th June and be completed by 18th August 2023. Multiple traffic management, which includes road closures and diversion routes, will be required.

"This is in order for our team to complete their work safely and to protect members of the public throughout the duration of the scheme."

It says the scheme will run in three phases, although there are no details about what sections of road these apply to.

They also promise to complete the work as efficiently as possible.

Mrs Etemad said: "Consideration should be given to laying the main using alternative routes that less affect the lives of the people of Blythe Bridge and its surrounding area."

Cadent has been contacted for a comment.

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