Motorists are facing traffic chaos with controversial roadworks starting on one of Telford’s busiest roads later this month.

Planned resurfacing work on the A41 was originally scrapped following protests from drivers facing the prospect of 30-mile diversion routes while the four-week project took place. Telford & Wrekin Council bosses instead looked into the prospect of doing the work at night to minimise disruption.

But following consultation with residents living on the road, the controversial works will now go ahead as originally planned.

They are expected to take three weeks and will happen in phases, with different sections of the road closed at different times.

Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member Councillor Stephen Bentley said the work would start on November 16.

“We may do some limited night-time working or weekend working to ensure that the work is completed as quickly as possible,” he added.

“We will be sending information out to residents and businesses in the wider local area, as well as putting up new signs to advise people of the work and writing to as many road haulage firms as possible to advise them of the closure and to use the designated diversion.”

Councillor Bentley said the maintenance work was a “major scheme” that only needed to be done once every 30 years.

He said: “We do not take any decision to close a road lightly and being aware of the public concern we have tried to do all we can to limit the disruption to residents and businesses.”

The roadworks were shelved earlier this year after angry motorists, residents and traders spoke out at a heated public meeting in Sambrook.

During the disruption, motorists will be faced with a choice of driving on minor roads or taking a 30-mile diversion route.

The work will mean the road will be closed between Chetwynd Firs and just north of Stanford Bridge, near Sambrook.

The resurfacing work is being carried out after consultants told the borough council the under lining road and surface condition were poor.