HARD pressed Hagley commuters are resigned to years of traffic gridlock after Worcestershire County Council ignored improvement schemes which they recommended in their own transport plan.

Figures released from WCC's own traffic data showed their decision to completely alter the layout of the A456 junction with the B4187 just outside the village centre as a result of the recent Cala Homes development actually increased congestion and queuing.

The details came to light as a result of a Freedom of Information request which revealed only half of the proposed 15 individual improvement schemes recommended would be carried out.

The other schemes have been discounted by WCC officers without looking for any alternatives to alleviate the traffic misery suffered by motorists.

Unhappy Hagley East Bromsgrove District Councillor Rachel Jenkins insists WCC has failed to tackle Hagley's significant traffic issues.

She said: "I'm astonished and disappointed with the minor schemes which have been implemented by WCC as part of NEST 6, which is the transport scheme relating to Hagley.

"When I was previously county councillor for Hagley in 2016, I persuaded the head of service at WCC to commission traffic consultants Ch2m to produce solutions to ease traffic congestion along the A456 at the altered junction with the B4187.

"One of the reports' major options to reduce congestion included re-introducing the longer filter lane into the village centre which has been totally ignored by WCC officers and has not be implemented under NEST6.

"Other options which the traffic consultants proposed to help solve the traffic problems in Hagley have either not been included or dismissed.

"Continued traffic congestion in Hagley adversely affects the local economy, Hagley needs a by-pass but we need action now."

Cllr Jenkins' claims have been backed by Hagley Parish Council chair Steve Colella who added: "WCC have condemned Hagley to 12 years of traffic misery as there is nothing in the plan now until 2030.

"There are seven sets of traffic lights from the former Cross Keys pub until the junction with the Stourbridge Road and consequently it takes motorists 20 to 25 minutes just to travel one mile.

"It has become a notorious stretch of road throughout Worcestershire and it's a total cause of frustration and dis-satisfaction as people can see where the problems are.

"Firstly WCC Highways carry out a major junction alteration just outside of the village centre which makes a heavily congested area even worse and further compromises road safety.

"Then, to add insult to injury, the best and most immediate chance of finally getting it right by reversing the junction back to its original layout has been dismissed.

"NEST6 is just political jargon for approving a plan that has proved to be flawed and totally undermines the role of WCC as the highways authority.

"I have no confidence in them delivering a viable transport policy."

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "We are aware of issues with congestion around the A456 through Hagley.

"We currently have plans to adjust the lanes on the approach to the Hagley island.

"We will continue to monitor the A456 through Hagley and consider options for improvements where appropriate."