Roadworks causing traffic mayhem in Willington will be moved to ease congestion tonight - but they will be back TOMORROW.
Calls have been made to suspend the works in Repton Road, which are currently being used as a diversion during the partial closure of Burton Bridge, which is a main route in and out of town over the River Trent.
Instead, the work will be moved onto the footpath near the substation, today, Thursday, July 5, so traffic can pass on the road tonight without the need for traffic lights, which has brought the area to a standstill.
However, the road will need to be reinstated tomorrow, Friday, July 6, and the traffic lights will be back, an electricity distribution firm spokesman has said.
The roadworks are so the electricity supply can be connected by Western Power Distribution to a nearby new housing development in construction.
The iconic Burton Bridge is closed to traffic heading out of town, however one lane is open to traffic coming in, as strengthening works take place. It has led to more traffic using Willington as a route home.
Conor Wileman, who raised concerns about the Willington roadworks, said he believed that such works should only be carried out on diversion routes during the bridge work if it was an emergency.
It comes as Councillor Martyn Ford, who represents Willington on Derbyshire County Council, said the Willington roadworks would have never been given the go ahead if the planners who issue permits for the roadworks were given the full details.
He said he believes planners at the county council may have thought the work was for a single home, which may be classed as an emergency, and not for a new housing development.
It came as Councillor Wileman called for the work to be suspended.
A spokesman for Western Power Distribution told the Burton Mail: "The roadworks are in Repton Road because we are installing electricity connection to a building site. It was a request from the building site that they wanted it done as quickly as possible.
"We started on Wednesday, July 4, and are due to complete by tomorrow, Friday, July 6.
"We did get permission from Derbyshire County Council and everything is on track to get it done as quickly as possible. We have gone through the usual process to apply for permission.
"We do realise the disruption caused. Work is still taking us into tomorrow but we are trying to work as quickly as possible."
When asked about the road being used as a diversion during the Burton Bridge closure, the spokesman later said: "This afternoon we were in contact with Derbyshire County Council which has agreed that we can close the footpath outside the substation in Repton Road and we will be able to take the traffic lights down this afternoon.
"We will work on the footpath rather than the road.
"We will need to reinstate the road tomorrow so the traffic lights will have to be there for a period of time."
One motorist told the Burton Mail it had taken her an hour to travel from Burton to Repton, last night, Wednesday, July 4.
She said: "It was ridiculous. It's a main diversion route while the work on Burton Bridge takes place and to find there's roadworks on the diversion route too. It made my blood boil."
The Burton Mail is still awaiting an official comment from Derbyshire County Council.
