ROADWORKS that have been causing misery for drivers on the M5 could continue until June, it has been revealed.

In an email seen by the Worcester News, a senior employee of Vinci Construction – a contractor upgrading the M5 into a 'smart motorway' – says the final 'testing' phase of the project on the motorway at Worcester will not begin until June.

Highways England, which manages the motorway, insists the scheme is on track to be finished "this spring" but has refused to give a more precise date.

Work on the motorway first began in January 2016 along the section between junctions 4a for Bromsgrove and 6 for Worcester north – and will eventually see congestion managed using technology.

The project, much-maligned by drivers, was originally expected to finish in November last year but has faced setbacks along the way, including "substantial structural repairs" to drainage which have pushed the completion date back.

Worcester News reader Edd Hogan, from Ledbury, says he is fed-up of the delays.

"I think they should be working 24 hours a day, I think there should be penalty clauses for not completing on time," he said.

"I find it very frustrating. I drive about 35,000 miles a year for work, I'm on a lot of motorways, this long stretch on the M5 has been frustrating."

The email seen by the Worcester News says that the "scope of works" changed while contractors were working on the motorway.

It says a survey of existing drainage revealed a lot of drains requiring attention or repair as part of the motorway work.

It also says delays have occurred due to heavy rain and temperatures of "below zero" which have held up the surfacing work.

Once complete, the resurfacing work will be followed by a period in which the new smart motorway technology is tested, with phase one (junctions 4a to 5) due to start in April, and phase two (junctions 5 to 6) in June.

Janice Allen, project manager at Highways England, said: "We are working hard to complete the scheme as quickly as possible.

"We remain on course to finish in spring and we’d like to thank our neighbours and motorists for their patience as the work continues."

The roadworks have been the source of much misery for many drivers stuck in tailbacks.

Concerns have also been raised about a high number of crashes in the roadworks area – with Highways England admitting the number of minor shunts has increased since the work began.

A 50mph speed limit has been in place along the entire length of the roadworks but Highways England says it is looking at the possibility of having 55mph or 60mph limits in some parts to reduce disruption for drivers.