A weight restriction has been introduced on a sinkhole-hit new-build estate. The Redrow estate – off Etruscan Street, in Etruria – has been up for 16 years.

But the past five years have been blighted by a sinkhole on the junction of Boatman Drive and Waterlily Close. The situation has still not been resolved and Stoke-on-Trent City Council is taking legal action against Redrow Homes and Severn Trent Water.

Now the council has this month brought in new traffic restrictions – including a 3.5-ton weight restriction.

Amjad Hussain said: "It's a waste of money really. All the residents over here know and we all give each other space to help the traffic. Putting signs up has just got rid of most of the parking spaces, it's just a nuisance really. I know they are trying to help but just fix the road, that's the answer to everything. We're all aware; we've been living here years now and we've been tolerating it for years so these traffic lights are absolutely no use whatsoever."

Neighbour Andrew Heathcote added: "Truth be told I don't really know what they're doing with them. I imagine it's to do with the sinkhole but I just want them to fix it. Ultimately it's quite low traffic anyway so the traffic lights don't affect anything whatsoever. But mainly if the sinkhole wasn't there we wouldn't need this so fix it."

A council spokesman said: "We know the impact that the highways issues at Boatman Drive are having on the lives of local residents. We are committed to ensuring that the highway is repaired and brought back into proper use.

"As a precautionary measure to slow further degradation of the road, we have brought in a traffic weight restriction and three-way traffic lights, permitting only vehicles under 3.5 tonnes to legally access the road. The matter is subject to legal proceedings and, as such, it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this stage."

Redrow Midlands has welcomed the latest council action.

Its managing director Paul Shaw said: "We are aware of the issues facing residents at Boatman Drive. Whilst the site was completed around 16 years ago, we are keen to help if we can and continue to liaise with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Severn Trent Water on it. We understand the council is working towards a way to rectify the problem, which will involve some traffic restrictions, and we hope this leads to a final resolution for residents."

We have approached Severn Trent Water for a statement regarding the issue.

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