More than 100 people gathered to share questions and concerns over a three-month road closure set to start tomorrow (Monday, February 19). 

Severn Trent held a public drop-in session on Monday, February 12 for residents to hear more about the mains replacement scheme that will see the A448 Kidderminster Road in Chaddesley Corbett closed for months. 

The scheme will involve the closure of a section of the busy carriageway with a traffic diversion in place along necessary alternative A-roads during the 12-week project from February 19 to May 13. 

The drop-in session took place at Chaddesley Corbett village hall with Severn Trent staff on hand to answer any questions. 

Community Communications Officer at Severn Trent, Paul Hughes, said: "We answered a lot of questions during the evening as we want to be as open as possible with people. 

"We do understand the upset caused by these kinds of roadworks and diversions which are used to protect our workers and the public as we carry out essential mains replacement. 

"The Chaddesley Corbett works are very important as they will improve the water supply to households in the surrounding area who have suffered issues in the past." 

The work on the road originally started in May 2023 but had to be abandoned due to a road worker being seriously injured after getting hit by a vehicle.

For safety reasons, the work is now being carried out under a 24/7 road closure with concerns raised over the 22-mile diversion in place for drivers as well as access along the road for emergency services. 

Local councillor Alan Wakeman, who welcomed Severn Trent for taking the time to "explain the reasons for the project", said: "I think most people present accepted that the road needed to be closed and were mainly concerned about traffic management and diversions. 

"The official diversion route being through West Hagley on the A456 is already a bottleneck and this route is likely to significantly increase the Kidderminster to Bromsgrove journey time." 

Resident Stephen Pierson added: "A big question for me was are ambulance going to be able to get through if needed. 

"That  was a big concern, but I do understand that this work needs to take place." 

Project manager, Yasmin Cherik, went onto reassure residents that alternative diversions had been considered but the one selected was the only suitable route to carry heavy traffic including HGVs. 

She also explained why the scheme would take 12 weeks to complete and the reason for the full road closure. 

She said: "The only clear route to install the new main is in the centre of the road, which means we cannot have a two-way traffic system as there is not enough room to maintain safety for passing vehicles as well as our workforce. 

"We do understand how frustrating these roadworks are for people, but we will be working as fast as we can to get this scheme completed as quickly as possible."