22-07-2025
Poorly signposted Hallow road closure causing chaos in village
A ROAD closure has caused traffic chaos as villagers say poor signposting has led scores of drivers to a dead end.
The A443 has been shut in Hallow between Saturday (July 19) and Friday (July 24) as Severn Trent conducts maintenance work on pipes beneath the road.
However, villagers have complained that this work has not been well signposted on the roads leading to the village, and has resulted in many people continuing to drive into the village, not realising there is no way through.
Jed Marson, a resident of Hallow, said: "For drivers unfamiliar with the village, or those with out-of-date digital directions, the journey comes to a jarring halt.
"Vehicles drove straight down to the closure, paused in confusion, then either performed hurried U-turns or veered into Banks Close, unaware it was a cul-de-sac.
"More than one driver reversed out fast, irritated and barely looking, while others simply turned and floored it back the way they'd come.
"This might have been funny if it weren't happening outside of homes, beside a popular shop and cafe, with pedestrians trying to thread their way through the fallout."
The shop, Ladygo Stores, and the cafe, No.1 Browns Way Coffee Shop, are run by father and son, Mick Baldwin and Tom Baldwin, respectively, who said the road closure has affected business.
Tom said: "It's not great for passing trade, but I remember when it was shut for six weeks, and that was horrendous.
"From what I've been told, cars keep having to turn around because it's poorly signposted."
In the space of five minutes, Worcester News recorded six cars and a bus travelling towards Worcester forced to U-turn at the roadworks.
Mick added: "It affects trade because it's all about passing trade for us so, when cars aren't passing, we tend to lose out.
"It's a shame because it was all supposed to be done two years ago, when the road was closed for six weeks.
"The road should be back open again on Friday, and it doesn't sound like it will run over."
Worcestershire County Council was unavailable for comment.
