The A50 and A500 are important roads that run through not just Stoke-on-Trent but further afield - however they are increasingly being raised with me by residents as areas of concern. Both roads are managed by National Highways, a government agency, and as a result decisions made about maintenance and work on the roads are not taken locally, but elsewhere, with extremely limited input from local councillors.
Over the last 6 months, the number of complaints I have received about the impact of A50 diversions on Meir Park residents has increased significantly. I am also regularly contacted by residents elsewhere about these issues too. Overnight lane closures are poorly signposted, leading to confused drivers and increased overnight noise for local residents, as well as extreme cases of large HGVs trying to navigate narrow lanes in their confusion.
Alongside this, complaints about the condition and appearance of the verges and land around the A50/A500 is also regularly mentioned. Litter and debris on the roadside, as well as poor maintenance on roundabouts and other areas owned by National Highways is a common complaint.
However, despite raising these issues frequently over the last few months, the response remains slow - my only way to contact National Highways as a local councillor is through their generic email address, and I often wait several weeks until I receive a response. In nearly 17 years as a local councillor, representing a ward that includes the A50, I have never known the situation to be as bad as it is.
If you are a resident who is impacted by the A50 - or the A500 - please share your views with me and other Conservative councillor colleagues via the survey below. We are keen to hear what you think and your experiences.