Latest news with #PeterMason
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Historic Gospel End bridge shut to traffic for refurb
A historic Staffordshire bridge is shut to traffic for four weeks for a £350,000 to the Grade II listed Wodehouse Lane Bridge on the main road through Gospel End, near Wombourne, will preserve it for "years to come", the county council 18th Century masonry arch structure requires bridge deck and utility investigations, repairs to brickwork and drain will be fully closed, with signed diversions in place, until 15 August, but a second phase of refurbishment will take place next year. Traffic will be diverted along the A463, A459, A4039 and A449 while the first phase of work is completed, the council County Council's cabinet member for strategic highways Peter Mason described the bridge over Wodehouse Mill Pool as a "historical asset"."This refurbishment scheme needs to be carried out in keeping with its Grade II listed status," he said."Unfortunately a full closure is needed due to the size of the bridge and the nature of works."He explained the work had been scheduled during school holidays to minimise disruption and thanked residents in advance for their understanding. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Road in Cannock closed as surface melts in hot weather
A road in Staffordshire was closed over the weekend when the surface melted in the heat, the county council has said. Staffordshire County Council reopened the stretch of road in Cannock on Monday after treating the road surface with granite Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways, said: "We took the decision to temporarily close Gorsemoor Road in Cannock at the weekend after we were made aware that the heat was affecting the condition of the road surface."According to the Met Office, temperatures in Cannock reached highs of 29C (84F) on the weekend with Mason adding it was "not unusual" for road surface temperatures to hit 50C (122F) during a heatwave. Mason added the repairs would not come at an expense to taxpayers, after the council found work carried out had not met the required said: "Any work carried out on our highway network needs to meet our design and quality standards and, on this occasion, the surface treatment did not perform. "We will work with our contractor to arrange for the necessary repairs to take place at no expense to the taxpayer," added the Reform UK Johnson, leader of Cannock Chase District Council – which is not responsible for the area's roads, but often receives complaints – said local highways were "notoriously bad"."We're renowned for our roads not being the best," he added he had received reports that vehicle tyres had been damaged, and said he was concerned about the cost of repairing motorist, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC she had spent more than £300 on replacement tyres after driving on Gorsemoor Road before the closure. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Staffordshire council hits five-year high in pothole repairs
A highways teams has been able to fill in more potholes in the last year than in each of the previous four thanks to AI technology, a local authority filled in more than 37,300 potholes during the year 2024-25, Staffordshire County Council has said they used AI to assess the condition of the county's 4,000-mile road network, as well as sending out more crews and using the JCB Pothole Pro to speed up council announced an £8m scheme last June aimed at repairing road defects more quickly. Information about the number of repairs was published as part of a government requirement to share road maintenance authority said recent warm weather meant staff had been focused on a preventative maintenance programme, to help stop potholes and other defects from forming."Residents have told me time and again that the condition of their local roads is one of their top priorities, and it's our top priority too," said Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic said highways were underfunded, but the council was looking at ways to make the money they get go further."I welcome the transparency that this new reporting brings, as it shows how in Staffordshire we have a good grasp of what the problems are, and crews are getting on with the job of fixing as many defects as they can," he said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
31-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Branston Bridge could reopen within weeks after repair work
Work to repair a bridge in Staffordshire which has been shut for six months could be completed within weeks, according to the local Bridge near Burton-on-Trent was closed for safety reasons after some lorry drivers ignored weight restrictions, causing structural County Council said work was progressing well on repairing the bridge – parts of which are more than 186 years old – but there had been unexpected said some services had to be diverted, replaced or worked around, meaning the work programme had to be extended. Completion is currently scheduled for 10 July, but this may change if other issues are found with the bridge or if weather conditions slow things down."When excavating for the works, and at the crown of the bridge, the crew are working with only a few courses of old bricks between them and the live railway below," said Peter Mason, cabinet member for strategic highways on the Reform UK-controlled authority."It is important that they ensure they allow concrete to cure and strengthen fully as each stage of the works progress, and one reason why these works are perceived to be taking time to complete."We will not put pressure on crews to take unnecessary risks just for a speedy outcome."He added: "Although the weather has been kind so far, this is another factor that could result in the work having to continue beyond 10 July."On the other hand, if we don't encounter any more issues, work could finish ahead of schedule." Crews are beginning installation of a concrete saddle to reinforce the the concrete has reached the required strength, work would begin to install temporary supports for a live water main, they the final layer of concrete has been cast, drainage will be installed at each end, kerbing and paving laid, brickwork repointed and the road equipment which has been recording the movement of the structure would continue, the council said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
