Community leaders and residents have raised serious concerns over ongoing roadworks being carried out by Severn Trent.

The water company is undertaking a £25 million project to replace 40km of old water pipes and is set to last until early 2027.

The current phase of work in Birches Head and Sneyd Green faced a number of problems, including confusing diversion signage, congestion, permit breaches and road safety, which were at the top of the agenda at a recent public meeting.

The public meeting was arranged by Councillor Laura Carter following concerns raised by residents.

Residents earlier this month requested a meeting with Severn Trent and Stoke-on-Trent City Council to discuss the issues and find solutions to the problems experienced by residents. 

Local MP Gareth Snell raised concerns, warning the works were a 'recipe for disaster' and said he had concerns over the safety of children over the diversion route that will take vehicles on to Botany Bay Road and Athena Road before joining Birches Head Road.

The MP told representatives from Severn Trent: "I'm conscious that Botany Bay Road where it meets Keelings Road is right opposite Broom Primary School.

"So if we are diverting traffic through Botany Bay and Keelings what conversations is the highway authority having with the school about the safety of children exiting and entering that, particularly in the morning and at 3.30."

The MP also questioned whether the school street scheme, which restricts traffic during school drop off and pick up times could be suspended while the works are taking place to make it easier for parents to park and improve safety.

He also asked whether traffic lights could be implemented at the junction of Barthomley and Chell Street to alleviate congestion.

He added: "I am genuinely worried about the possibility of there being an accident involving a child outside the primary schools and the point about Birches Head Road is equally important because these are dense areas with lots of children walking around at that particular time of day and we're about to route traffic through it and that I think is potentially a recipe for disaster."

A representative of Stoke-on-Trent City Council highways confirmed that as part of the permit conditions consultations with affected schools needs to take place and the road closure will not take place until the schools have been consulted.

A Severn Trent spokesperson confirmed the use of traffic lights at the junction had been reviewed but said the priority was maintaining traffic flow down Hanley Road and Chell Street and the concern is that traffic lights would cause traffic to back up and make the situation worse.

Councillor Laura Carter raised concerns from residents around safety and permits. It was confirmed during the meeting that 166 permits had been issued to Severn Trent with 101 inspected by the city council resulting in a 61 per cent fail rate.

A representative from Severn Trent said: "We do commit to self defecting issues, we do want to pick it up ourselves before it goes on to the next stage. So we do walk the site after we've completed the work to self defect and anything we do pick up we do commit to rectifying it."

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Laura Carter, who organised the meeting said: "Residents were very clear about how seriously these works are affecting their day-to-day lives, from gridlock across the city to concerns about road safety and access.

"A 61 per cent failure rate on inspected permits is deeply concerning, and people quite rightly want reassurance that lessons are being learned. 

"While frustrations were high, the meeting allowed residents to speak directly to those responsible, and commitments were made to improve signage, review traffic management and prioritise safety, particularly for children and vulnerable road users.

"I will continue working with residents, Severn Trent and the council to make sure these concerns are followed up and that improvements are delivered."