HS2 urged to provide support as A38 slip road closure extended by six months
Once complete, the line will run underneath the A38 to the east of Streethay
HS2 bosses are being urged to provide extra funding for roads and communities after the closure of an A38 slip road near Lichfield was extended by six months.
The A38 Streethay slip road had been expected to reopen in October, but HS2 Ltd has now confirmed it will remain closed until April 2027.
Staffordshire County Council has warned the extension will mean further disruption for motorists, residents and businesses, as well as putting additional pressure on the surrounding road network.
Councillor Peter Mason, the authority's cabinet member for strategic highways, has now written to HS2 Ltd calling for a package of financial and practical support.
The council says the continued closure will lead to more traffic using alternative routes around Lichfield and could also force planned highway maintenance work to be delayed.
Officials have warned that postponing maintenance could result in roads deteriorating further and ultimately increase the cost of repairs.
Councillor Mason said: “Residents, businesses and road users have already faced a lot of disruption, so this further delay is very disappointing.
“We understand safety must come first, but the extended closure will keep putting pressure on local roads and journeys in and around Lichfield.
“HS2 Ltd needs to recognise this impact and provide proper support for the people, businesses and roads affected.
“This is why I have asked them for an appropriate package of mitigation measures and financial support for the affected communities and highway network.”
Among the measures being sought by the county council is £45,600 towards additional patching work on the A5127 Trent Valley Road and Burton Road, as well as £60,000 for repairs to Watery Lane.
The authority also wants HS2 Ltd to contribute towards major maintenance at the Sainte Foy Avenue and Limburg Avenue roundabout, where the required work is estimated to cost £759,000.
A further contribution is being sought towards £435,000 of wider highway maintenance work in Lichfield.
The council has also called for additional community funding and environmental improvements in areas which have been most affected by the HS2 works and extended road closure.
The Streethay slip road closure forms part of the ongoing HS2 construction work around Lichfield.
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