CHANGES to the way highways chiefs keep local people in touch with plans for major roadworks schemes are being called for after the debacle of an upcoming project in Rockwell Green.

Residents were angered to discover they faced two months of using lengthy and narrow diversions to reach Wellington town centre because of the jigsaw puzzle effect of three roadworks schemes between August 7 and September 21.

Exeter Road was scheduled to be closed for three weeks from August 7, with North Street and Waterloo Road closed at night for resurfacing during the third week, followed three days later by the closure of Payton Road for 20 days.

But some relief came when the first scheme, to replace gas mains in Exeter Road, was completed and the road fully re-opened after only ten days instead of the planned three weeks.

Now, local councillors are calling for better communications between the highways department and the town council to help everyone understand not just when work is to going to happen but also what will be carried out and the reasons why it needs to be done.

For the full story, see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.