£1m to improve Sandwell crash blackspot
A pedestrian crossing, relocation of bus stops and better lighting are among £1 million improvements proposed for an accident blackspot in Sandwell.
Cape Hill, in Smethwick, has one of the highest numbers of recorded road accidents in the borough with 34 incidents involving 40 casualties reported over the five years to the end of November last year.
Officials say the total cost of the project is over £1 million.
And while it would be partially funded with £351,000 from the Local Transport Plan, the remaining £651,000 will come from the council's own capital funding.
Funding of £2 million from the Council's 2013/14 revenue surplus has been earmarked for improvements along both the Cape Hill and Bearwood Road corridors.
Sandwell Council's cabinet will decide whether the cash should be approved at a meeting on Wednesday.
If approved it will be the second phase of a scheme which will also see improvements of Bearwood Road. That part of the project was approved by the council in January.
As part of the Cape Hill scheme, a controlled pedestrian crossing would be installed in the main shopping area and bus stops relocated to either side of the proposed crossing.
Road crossing widths would be reduced for pedestrians and to improve visibility and better lighting installed along the route.
A 20mph zone would be introduced along Cape Hill and on the approaches.
Pavements would be improved and street furniture either moved or replaced.
A report to the committee states speed was either the cause or a contributory factor in most accidents which took place between Raglan Road and Salisbury Road.
Between Rosebery Road and Windmill Lane all except one of the 14 accidents involved pedestrians and almost a third of total accidents were in the dark.
Officials said the existing arrangement of parking, bus stops and crossing points were likely to have contributed to many of the accidents.
Cabinet member for strategic resources Councillor Steve Eling said: "The section of road is a particularly difficult spot along Cape Hill.
"This project will be of enormous benefit to the area and improve safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
"I am glad we have been able to find the money for this project. Work is needed at this location and along Bearwood Road."
A report to the cabinet says alongside improving safety the scheme would also see the 'timely repair and renewal' of pavement surfaces, drainage covers, kerbing and street signs.
Other phases of work have been planned but officials say will depend on further development and design work being carried out.
They will also be subject to additional funding applications.
These will cover the redesign of a busy junction in Bearwood to improve pedestrian safety and the environment of the area.
There are also plans for improved bus facilities and better links to Lightwoods Park.
