'Frustration' as HS2 delays slip road reopening

Roadworks linked to HS2 in Staffordshire have been delayed by a further six months, meaning a slip road to a busy route will be closed for longer than planned.

The northbound slip road onto the A38 at Streethay, near Lichfield, was due to reopen in October after closing in March, but HS2 has confirmed it will remain shut until next April.

Dave Robertson, the Labour MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the villages, said the closure, alongside a temporary 50mph speed limit, was affecting 70,000 vehicles a day.

The company said it had "explored every option" but had been unable to find a safe way to temporarily reopen the route.

In May, the project's new chief executive, Mark Wild, announced a reset of the project aimed at improving delivery and restoring confidence following years of rising costs and missed deadlines.

"Communities were given assurances, deadlines were set and expectations were raised, only for those promises to be broken," Robertson said. "At the first opportunity to show evidence of real change, the company has failed yet again."

"Our community has already endured years of disruption and was looking forward to finally seeing the end of these roadworks," he added.

"Continued delays and uncertainty undermine the supposed economic benefits of HS2 in our area."

A spokesperson for HS2 said: "We recognise the frustration for local communities and road users that the A38 northbound slip road at Streethay is closed while we realign the slip road for HS2 works.

"We explored every viable option to open a temporary realignment in October 2026. Unfortunately, there is no solution that is considered safe by an independent road safety audit and would meet standards required to protect road users and our workforce.

"Safety is our first priority and we will continue to deliver the permanent realignment and reopen the slip road in April 2027."

A signed diversion route is in place for drivers throughout the works.

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