* 5PM UPDATE: The most senior suspended staff member involved in the Ketch saga has returned to work, according to sources at the council.

COUNCIL workers suspended over Worcester's Ketch island fiasco are still off work - with no timescales being put on their return.

Six weeks after we revealed how Worcestershire County Council told three highways staff to go home on full pay, bosses say the investigation into their conduct is still ongoing.

Your Worcester News can reveal how some councillors now believe the suspensions have put pressure on existing staff, leading to suggestions that crucial pieces of work have been delayed because of it.

We understand management at County Hall put in contingency measures some weeks back to mitigate for the trio being on gardening leave, drafting in other workers to pick up the pieces.

We can also reveal how John Hobbs, the corporate director ultimately in charge of highways at the council, has now asked to personally see every finished road scheme himself before it goes 'live' and is signed off.

The suspensions follow an unprecedented apology by council chiefs following the coning off of two lanes under emergency measures after a Facebook video highlighting serious safety concerns at the island was viewed 83,000 times.

In June permanent changes were then made to the £8 million island following a hurried safety assessment, including the hatching off of a controversial merger lane at the exit for Carrington Bridge.

Yesterday the council said it hoped the investigation, which is being done independently, will be complete in the autumn but refused to go any further.

The suspensions, which came about over concerns on how much safety assessment work was done before the roundabout was fully operational, have cost taxpayers thousands of pounds in 'lost' wages over the summer.

A spokesman said: "A full and comprehensive independent investigation is ongoing, which will look at all aspects of the project.

"We anticipate findings will be available in the autumn but are unable to make any further comment until then."

Some councillors have suggested delays in roadworks being complete around the city, such as Woodgreen Drive, Warndon Villages, are down to a lack of staff being around to cope.

But the council yesterday denied that the suspensions have had any impact, saying the the crossing was switched on last Friday and the new Woodgreen Drive layout is "now fully operational".

The Ketch island, in south Worcester, was enlarged in size as part of the ongoing dualling of much of the A4440 Carrington Bridge.