The county council has issued a new update on the controversial A38 road improvement works which are causing "mayhem" across town. 

Worcestershire County Council said it is making good progress on the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) with tree and vegetation clearance along the A38 corridor now underway. 

The multi-million-pound scheme is set to bring a number of junction enhancements by reducing congestion and bottlenecks as well as improving cycling and walking routes along the A38. 

The vegetation clearance will make way for the new 'Active Travel' carriageway and help increase space along the A38 Stoke Road between Buntsford Park Road and Charford Road for cyclists, pedestrians and bus users.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: "Tree and vegetation clearance along the A38 corridor is currently underway.

"Plans to offset the loss of trees and shrubs are in place and we will be planting new ones on a two-for-one basis across the Bromsgrove A38 programme.

"The work to amend splitter islands on the A38/A448 Oakalls Roundabout demonstrates a commitment to improving the roundabout, enhancing traffic flow and road safety." 

Bromsgrove Advertiser: The scheme aims to reduce congestion The scheme aims to reduce congestion (Image: Worcestershire County Council)

Despite promising to ease traffic flow, the scheme has previously come under fire from residents who have slammed the disruption caused by the work as a "nightmare". 

Resident Debbie Elle said: "You are making it impossible to get out of the golf centre turn and the Oakalls. It's a nightmare." 

Social media user, Rob O'Connor, said: "Completely flawed. A new western bypass would have been a much more suitable alternative." 

Another resident added: "Let the carnage begin, Bromsgrove will be in mayhem." 

In response to reactions, a spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said the benefits of the scheme in reducing congestion and the improvements to walking and cycling routes outweigh any disruption, which contractors aim to keep to a minimum.

They added: “A technical feasibility study was undertaken which indicated that a bypass is not necessary and the extremely high cost and environmental impact means that such a scheme would be extremely unlikely to attract any government funding unlike the current BREP works.

“These schemes are part of a wider programme of works to improve the A38 corridor from Lydiate Ash (M5, Junction 4) to Hanbury Turn (junction with B4091 Hanbury Road) to address delay and congestion.”