MONTHS of traffic delays are expected as a major £1.5 million refurbishment project is carried out on a busy commuter route.

Staffordshire County Council says the investment will improve the A53 leading into Newcastle – and provide a boost to the town’s economy.

The work mainly involves resurfacing a 1.7-mile section of Newcastle Road at Ashley, between Mucklestone Wood Lane and Gypsy Lane.

Highways experts believe the improvements will preserve the road for years to come – and in turn help to attract new business and jobs into Newcastle.

Work is due to start on Monday and should be completed by the end of September.

The authority’s highways chief, Conservative Councillor Mike Maryon, said: “If we left the road, it would deteriorate. There comes a point when a road needs totally renovating. It is much better to maintain the roads.

“It has been left too long. In the past people thought it wasn’t worth investing in this sort of thing, but then you have to pay a lot more later on.

“It is the HGVs that have done all the damage.

“The majority of the work is taking place at Ashley. But it is more than just highway works. It is a main road, people don’t see the work underneath that goes on. The drains and the kerbs have to be looked at as well.

“There are three layers of Tarmac that have to go on the road. But the main thing is that this road won’t need any work on it for many years to come.”

Mr Maryon said the long-term benefits to the commuter route into Newcastle would offset the delays while the work is carried out.

He added: “Well-maintained commuter routes have a major impact on the local economy, which is why it is vital that we carry out upgrades on roads such as the A53.

“Businesses look very closely at the road network when they are deciding where to move to. Staffordshire is already ideally placed right in the heart of the country and has excellent links to motorways and A roads.

“A £1.5 million investment into this key gateway into Newcastle will put the town in an even stronger position to attract new companies – and create new jobs. This is a big project and I would like to thank residents, motorists and businesses for their patience while work is being carried out and to remind people that access to all shops, companies and homes will remain throughout the entire scheme.”

Andrew Coles, aged 43, who lives off the A53 on Kestrel Drive, Loggerheads, said: “It’s a very busy road and I can see the roadworks only causing more nuisance.

“But it does make sense to do the road in one go rather than keep coming back out and patching up holes here and there. It will cause disruption, but it’s got to be done.”

The county council recently ploughed £20 million into its crumbling road network.

It will be spent on preventative work over the next two years to help make the county’s 4,000-mile road system resistant to winter damage.

That is on top of a three-year, £30 million investment made by the council in 2009, which cut the number of potholes across the county from 1,200 three years ago to about 700.

There will be a 30mph speed limit on the A53 from Monday, while contractors begin resurfacing the carriageway, improving drains and replacing kerbs.

The road crew will be working from 7am to 5pm during weekdays.

At times, side roads and junctions off Newcastle Road will be closed to allow crews to work safety.

Carl Evans, president of Newcastle Chamber of Trade and Enterprise, said: “Anything that improves communication into Newcastle is a brilliant suggestion. Every repair helps the economy. It’s important, for Newcastle to remain a popular place, to get it to look attractive when people do arrive.”

Commuter John Bebbington, aged 38, of Blackbrook, said: “It will mean more traffic delays, but at least the road will be repaired.”