We could have done more, admit M6 chiefs as roadworks continue
Highways bosses have admitted they could and should have done more to make people aware of when major roadworks on the M6 would be completed.
The work at junction 9 for Wednesbury has been hit by delays twice.
The southbound sliproad has been closed since January, causing long tailbacks.
A meeting took place on Tuesday night where campaigners were able to speak to bosses from Highways England - carrying out the scheme - who blamed unforeseen circumstances for delaying the waterproofing work on the ageing M6 viaduct.
Company spokeswoman Jessica Kenny said: "We could have and should have done more to make the public aware of when the work would be completed.
"We've never had a waterproofing scheme of this nature and we've never had to do this many repairs before.
"We weren't aware of the extent of the condition of the motorway and repairs that needed to be done.
"The most damaged areas are over the parts which carry the weight of the viaduct, which is a crucial process to the integrity of the bridge.
"Repairs have had to be done with painstaking precision to prevent the bridge from becoming weak, so this is obviously a time consuming process."
Work is now expected to be completed by Christmas this year after the public had been previously told it would be June and then November.
One of the campaigners Claire Williams-Bradley, aged 32, who lives on Wood Green Road, said: "My whole house shakes, I'm woken up in the early hours of the morning pretty much every day due to the noise and work going on.
"It's affected everything. Family members coming from Birmingham have to take different routes to come visit, I've been living with this for the best part of two years.
"The lack of communication has been beyond frustrating. We've been told three dates now but there still isn't a specified date as to when it will be finished."
At the meeting at Wood Green Academy, in Wednesbury, people were told Highways England is 'committed to managing traffic to retain as much access as possible'. Diversions are currently in place because of the closure.
Wednesbury North councillor Elaine Costigan said: "I called this meeting as the people who are affected by these roadworks have a right to know when Highways England will have this work completed."
