NATIONAL Highways have provided and update on roadworks which are taking place on the M53.

Part of a £7m programme of barrier strengthening work to improve safety on the motorway, the work was initially due to be completed in August, but this was hampered by difficult ground conditions.

National Highways revised the deadline at the time, saying that the work would continue into September, however work is currently still ongoing.

Large section of barriers on the northbound and southbound verges and central reservations between junctions 9 and 11 needed to be replaced.

Traffic management measures including narrowed lanes, a 50mp speed limit and temporary lane closures, which have all now been removed, had been employed over the last nine months as a result of the works.

One resident said that the ongoing work had created “nightmare” traffic in the town, with motorists electing to come off the M53 and use residential roads to avoid the measures altogether.

However, National Highways have now said that the work is entering the final stages.

A spokesperson for National Highways said:

“Work to complete the essential safety improvement scheme along the M53 junctions 9 to 11 is concluding.

“The narrow lanes and 50mph traffic management system has now been removed.

“Motorists are advised the hard shoulder does remain closed and finishing works will continue overnight for the next two weeks.”