THERE was traffic chaos on the A38 in Droitwich yesterday as work started to improve a dangerous junction off a new estate.

Motorists were caught up in tailbacks reaching back at least a mile from the Pulley Lane junction through Martin Hussingtree as the long-awaited works got underway.

And worst looks set to come as, from July 1, Pulley Lane will be closed for 35 weeks in order for the road to be widened and traffic lights to be installed.

The closure is part of a larger project, which started on yesterday, to improve the stretch of A-road and the junction – being undertaken by Ringway on behalf of the county council.

The work needs to be completed before numerous empty properties at the Yew Tree Hill housing estate, off Pulley Lane, can be occupied.

Developers Persimmon Homes and Redrow Homes previously reached a legal agreement with Wychavon District Council that no more than 188 homes on the estate would be occupied until they improved the junction.

The first of three phases started last month and led to the closure of Copcut Lane for four weeks to enable construction vehicles to load and unload material.

Drainage infrastructure will then be installed during the second phase of the project, which is due to last eight weeks and will begin immediately after the first stage. During this phase, two-way temporary traffic lights will be set up on the A38.

The final stage will result in Pulley Lane shutting for six months so permanent traffic lights can be set up and road widening can take place.

The A38 will also be narrowed during this phase, with speeds reduced to 30 miles-per-hour.

Brookside Café owner Elizabeth Boult said she and other businesses in a compound on the A38 near to Pulley Lane were up in arms that a layby would be partially closed for 26 weeks for the works.