RESIDENTS and businesses next to the busy A38 have said it is a relief permanent traffic lights are finally coming down this afternoon.

The lights first went up on a section of the busy road in Copcut back in April, and for weeks drivers have suffered long waits as traffic was held to allow only one side to pass through at a time.

Worcestershire County Council highways has confirmed the signals will be removed later today. And Droitwich West Councillor Richard Morris tweeted: “I have been informed by Highways the lights will be removed at about 3.30pm. There should not be any permanent traffic lights at the site again, but there will be some temporary traffic management at times.”

READ MORE: City technology firm Gtech says it wants to relocate to controversial site

Cllr Morris told the Worcester News he lived by this site and had seen the queues reaching back at least a mile from the Pulley Lane junction through Martin Hussingtree. Cllr Morris said he was sceptical until he saw the lights had gone.

"The only caveat is I have heard this before, and it has not materialised," he said.

"I asked are you sure, and they said yes. The priority is getting it back to two way again - this is a main artery. At peak periods it has been hellish.”

The work, being undertaken by Ringway on behalf of the county council, is designed to improve the stretch of A-road and the junction, and needs to be completed before numerous empty properties at the Yew Tree Hill housing estate, off Pulley Lane, can be occupied.

READ MORE: Huge tailbacks on A38 on DAY 1 of lengthy roadworks

Pulley Lane remains closed while work continues, and is not expected to reopen until early next year.

A spokesman for the Copcut Elm pub, which is right next to the roadworks, said: “It has been a nightmare at times, trade has been hit. It is good news, a relief for us.”

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman said: "We can confirm the current signals will be removed from the site.

"Further traffic management will be required in order to complete the scheme, this may involve the use of temporary traffic signals."