Star comment: Disruption must bring real benefit

Roads are a constant source of anxiety for many motorists. We suffer from ever greater problems caused by congestion while the state of roads is often poor, with potholes and crumbling surfaces.

The Government is investing substantially in our railway network but roads remain an area of concern even though they carry far greater volumes of passenger and freight.

As we head towards the EU exit, it is vital that Britain is match fit to attract business and trade with partners around the world.

In Telford, work is being completed at the Clock Tower roundabout, in Donnington, though the improvements cause considerable noise at night.

It reminds us that the powers-that-be are in a difficult position, with local councils and highway agencies generally facing a near impossible task.

On the one hand almost all motorists complain about the state of our roads as they focus on too many potholes, poor junctions, too many traffic lights and badly thought-out junctions that are slowed by traffic lights.

We must have them fixed, they say. Then when the work does start, the same motorists complain about the disruption it causes to daily lives – the roadworks in Telford being a prime example.

There are similar complaints elsewhere. The work at Meole Brace, in Shrewsbury, has proved unpopular while extensive improvements along the M54 and A5 were not only unpopular but long-delayed.

In the case of the Clock Tower roundabout, Telford Council is taking steps to reduce the impact on people living nearby. They deserve credit for reacting pro-actively, even if that leads to slight delays.

Generally, though, roadworks are an inconvenience we must live with if we want to see our roads improve; we can but imagine the disruption if the A5 is ever dualled or the North West Relief Road in Shrewsbury does get the green light.

Our message to the authorities is this: schemes must be thought through to improve the lives of motorists and residents. We are prepared to put up with disruption – just as long as the end result is something substantially better than what was there before.