A BROMSGROVE councillor is demanding an independent investigation be carried out into overrunning roadworks on the M5 motorway, which he says are making residents 'miserable'.

Cllr Chris Bloore, ward member for Sidemoor, asked for support from the district council at a meeting at Parkside on June 21, after more than a year of overnight diversions on to the A38.

He said: "During the recent heatwave local residents in Stoke Heath couldn’t even open their windows to cool down because of hundreds of HGV lorries screeching past their windows throughout the night.

"The closures continue despite being told by Highways England that the works are now finished.

"This program of works has and continues to cause misery to local residents and yet despite being over six months over schedule the closures continue."

The traffic has been diverted as part of the M5 smart motorway scheme between junctions 4a and 6.

Cllr Bloore accused council leader Geoff Denaro of 'washing his hands' of Bromsgrove residents, and demanded answers over the scheme's total cost to the tax payer.

A spokesman for Bromsgrove District Council said: "We are continuing to work with our counterparts in Highways at the county council to ensure the disruption to our residents is minimal with any past and future works."