Residents have hit out at roadworks on the A6 in Leicestershire road which have created a cloud of dust that makes it “difficult to breathe”.
Roadworks recently took place on the A6 between Granite Way and Broadnook near Mountsorrel, where Leicestershire County Council gritted the road to prevent potholes.
However, one councillor has said that she and other residents have been struggling to breathe due to dust build-up from the roadworks, and has slammed the decision not to delay the works altogether with the current heatwave hitting the UK.
Residents have also complained about chips on their cars and windscreens, dust covering their cars and drivers avoiding the road completely.
Labour borough councillor Liz Blackshaw said she had received an “exceptionally high number of complaints” about the roadworks and had visited the area, saying she “couldn’t breathe”.
She said: “People living close to the A6 are saying they can’t have their windows open.
“I’ve got severe asthma, and my lungs were burning. I’m trying to avoid going anywhere near the road. I’ve been coming home, and I’ve just been having a permanent asthma attack”.
Cllr Blackshaw has also slammed the decision by Leicestershire County Council to carry out the roadworks while an amber weather warning for heat has been affecting Leicestershire.
She added: “[Residents] are just disgusted at the state of the road covering, it seems to be an excess use of chipping.
“If Mountsorrel Quarry did this, they would have stopped. The quarry is nothing compared to this dust. I have never seen this level of dust.
“It’s like when the Sahara sand comes across and just drops. It’s worse than that”.
Many residents have also flocked to social media to complain about the work.
Martin Birch said: “It’s absolutely astounding that someone signed this off! As a means of repairing road surfaces, this process is only slightly better than nothing at all.
“But to do it on a major route like the A6 is a staggeringly bad idea. One only has to witness the stones and dust being thrown up to see that, whether you’re travelling at 10mph or not. I absolutely refuse to put my car on there.
“Sadly, one of our vehicles has sustained a cracked window as a result….who’s to blame? Who authorised this farcical process?”
Kerry Michelle Whiteman called the roadworks “ridiculous”. She added: “My car has been pelted with stones due to the sheer quantity of loose stones and other vehicles flying past.
“The excess needs to be removed asap!”
Kalle Scott called the work “an absolute farce” while another resident Elaine McGarry added: “This type of repair/redressing is unacceptable on an A road.
“I travel to Oakham from Mountsorrel and use the B road out of Queniborough, which has been repaired without the use of chippings.
The recent works on the road from Hill Top into Rothley is finished poorly, completely uneven from start to finish. What happened to quality assurance? Who is signing the works off?”
A Leicestershire County Council spokesperson said: “Surface dressing has recently been completed on the A6 between Granite Way and Broadnook to help protect the road and prevent potholes. But on this occasion, we are aware this has caused disruption and we understand how frustrating it’s been for people living nearby and using the route.
“This type of treatment seals the surface, improves grip and stops water getting in helping the road last longer and reducing the need for more disruptive repairs later. We carry this surface dressing out in warmer summer months as the dry conditions help the new surface set and bond properly.
“Some people may have noticed more dust than usual. In these very hot, dry conditions that can happen for a short time while the new surface settles, this will ease. We’ve been sweeping the road daily and will continue to do so this week to help clear as soon as possible.
“There is a temporary 10mph advisory speed limit in place and leaving extra space between vehicles will also help everything bed in more quickly.
“We’d like to thank residents for their patience and understanding.”
By Chris Harper, Local Democracy Reporter