Residents affected by the work on the M6 between J10 and J10a feel totally let down by the Highways Agency, Carillion (Contractors for the Highways Agency) and the council reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

“I can understand exactly how the residents feel” said Ian, “I feel totally frustrated myself by the attitude of the Highways Agency and their contractor Carillion. It’s like banging your head against a brick wall. They are a Quango, and as such they are accountable to no one except the minister. There attitude to local residents is appalling.”

Inspite of assurances that they understand the nature of the the problem, (This stretch of work on the M6 has the highest density of residential property close to the motorway within the Birmingham area) the Highways Agency and their contractor Carillion, continue to run ruff shod over anything that gets in its way claimed Ian following a meeting on Friday.

“They continue to do the work the way they always intended” said Ian. “Currently in the Short Heath area of Willenhall, contractors are concentrating their efforts on the South bound side of the motorway where there are no residents, whilst residents on the north bound side have to put up with noise and light pollution due to the removal of environmental fencing weeks in advance of planned work” continued Ian.

“We have been told that the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency in London plans to visit the areas affected, but no one will say when that might be. I’ve emailed him personally requesting that he meets with councillors representing residents in the areas affected when he does visit, that was over a week ago and I haven’t even had the courtesy of a reply, no wonder residents are brassed off.”

Ian is asking for an urgent meeting to be convened of all councillors representing the areas affected along with high ranking council highways officers and the Highways Agency.