RESIDENTS are at the end of their tether after roadworks are set to hit drivers in a main Cotswolds town.

They say Moreton is already affected by overdevelopment and tourists and ongoing roadworks are causing the centre of town to become gridlocked.

The roadworks will take place throughout Moreton from September to December, allowing National Grid to install a new cable to power a new housing development. 

Sue Stapely, a member of Moreton Against Over Development, said: "The residents of Moreton are frankly at the end of their tether after the entire spring saw them delayed getting to and from work, schools, hospitals etc by weeks of temporary traffic lights caused by a developer as they installed services and pavements at the new vast Ellenbrook Estate.

"It can take half an hour to travel the length of our High Street and we are already receiving reports that visitors are avoiding Moreton as the holiday season gets underway, to the detriment of local businesses. 

"Now to learn that National Grid will be further disrupting the High Street for 14 or 15 weeks is almost more than some of us can bear.   

"It demonstrates powerfully how inappropriate it is to continue to keep adding more new buildings in and around Moreton when there is no way of by-passing the High Street which is a main A road, the Fosse Way and has intersections with the busy A44 and A429. 

"We urge National Grid to find ways to reduce the disruption to our town and the financial cost to our local business community by re-scheduling the work to take the shortest time possible. 

"Their sorrow is simply not enough."

Work is anticipated to start on Monday, September 9 and end on Friday, December 13.

A spokesperson for National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) said: "We are planning to carry out essential work to install a new cable to connect a nearby housing development's electricity supply. 

"There are staggered closures and temporary traffic lights in place between September and December as we work to make the connection. 

"We'd like to thank residents in advance for their patience while we complete the work and are sorry for any disruption during this time."

The spokesperson confirmed that the cable installation is to connect power to a new housing estate.

The work will begin by closing Corder's Lane, followed by closures to various parts of the High Street, as well as temporary traffic lights being placed along  the Fosse Way throughout the works.

Moreton in Marsh Town Council expects there to be significant traffic disruption throughout the work. 

Angus Jenkinson, Moreton East councillor at Cotswold District Council, said: "There will be a whole series of roadworks in Moreton as a result of the developments. 

"What strikes me is the lack of coordination between the various agencies involved to minimise disruption. 

"For the last 30 minutes I have been stuck in traffic through Stow due to the dysfunctional transport system from Moreton with queues miles long. 

"The vast number of tourists that use the roads at times is a serious problem and it will be necessary to develop the transport system in the next few years. 

"When things have to be done they have to be done, but the transport system needs to be fixed, at times Moreton to Stow to Bourton can be completely gridlocked."

Tom Rix, co-owner of Rixy's Cotswold Tearoom, said: "We didn't even know that the roadworks were scheduled. 

"It will definitely have an effect but a lot of our business comes from the local community who come in on foot. 

"Hopefully the effects won't be too serious."

To learn more about the roadworks, visit: https://moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk/news/upcoming-major-roadworks-scheduled-for-the-town-centre