Families on a 'rat run' estate face weeks of disruption as roadworks force A-road traffic onto their normally-quiet neighbourhood.

Residents in Horton Drive and Coupe Drive, Weston Coyney, say they are having to contend with lorries rumbling past in the early hours due to the ongoing repairs.

The problems started on Monday when Stoke-on-Trent City Council commenced work on Weston Road between Park Hall Road and Leek Road with vehicles banned from using the stretch until Friday, September 13.

An official diversion has been set up but drivers are instead using the estate to avoid the road closure. This has led to milk trucks, HGVs, tractors and lorries negotiating the residential streets.

Some neighbours say vehicles are struggling to turn on blind corners and are posing a risk. Vincent Heath, who has lived on the estate for 40 years, said he's never seen anything like it.

Local residents say they are having to contend with lorries rumbling past in the early hours (LDRS).

He said: "I was woken up this morning by two big skips following one another, empty. They were rattling with the chains, going about 40mph. The thing is people aren't respecting the residents because they are using it as a

Long-time resident John Pugh has made contact with local councillor Ross Irving to get answers to what is going on and if anything can be done to alleviate the situation. John said: "They nearly hit the grit bin this morning with a big trailer.

"The kids are off at the moment but they're in danger, it's like an A road. We reported it to the right people but if you're here at five o'clock you wouldn't be able to get up here."

One resident, who didn't want to be named, added: "Our concern is obviously going forward the breakup of the road and the deterioration of the kerb. It's a long term thing and then we're going to have roadworks then.

"This is just day two of what we believe is seven weeks but we know roadworks last longer. The other thing to take into account is when school starts then traffic is going to be even heavier."

An official diversion has been set up but drivers are using the estate to avoid the road closure (Nub News).

Councillor Ross Irving confirmed he is contacting highways to look into the issues. He said: "I understand there are problems with traffic using side roads because of the closure of Weston Road because that has got to be completely reconstructed. It's going to be closed for about three to four weeks.

"Obviously residents who are used to a quiet residential road aren't terribly happy about having some of the larger vehicles coming up. I understand, I'm going to contact highways now to find out but I understand that Weston Road was only to be remaining open for local frontages and not through traffic."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council advised previously that the work was planned to coincide with the school holidays to 'minimise disruption' and to plan journeys in advance.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration, advised: "The key priority for our team is getting the work completed thoroughly and effectively. The works have been planned to coincide with the school holidays to minimise disruption.

"We know this work is needed to help improve the road network in this area, and will make a noticeable difference for all road users and local residents. We thank residents and road users for their patience during this time, and advise to plan journeys in advance as much as possible."

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