Plan for new £3m jam-busting road
A £3 million new Black Country road allowing motorists to travel more quickly between Walsall and Darlaston is being planned, it was revealed today.
A £3 million new Black Country road allowing motorists to travel more quickly between Walsall and Darlaston is being planned, it was revealed today.
Walsall Council is aiming to construct the new two-mile stretch from Pleck Road through the centre of the former 26-acre James Bridge Copperworks, which extends either side of the M6, into the heart of Darlaston.
The Government is considering the scheme and once permission is given work could start as early as next year on the route which could run underneath the M6 close to Junction 10.
Walsall Council's highways chief, Councillor Tom Ansell, said: "It will open up a more direct route into Darlaston and forms part of the regeneration of Darlaston. This is the next biggest highways scheme now that the town's ring road has been completed."
The road would lead into Darlaston via a new £1.2million bridge being installed at Bentley Road South which it is claimed will "unlock the potential of Darlaston" by allowing large lorries of up to 40 tons to reach industrial sites.
Darlaston councillor Paul Bott said: "Anything that stops congestion and traffic jams will be good but I just hope this doesn't drag out like the Walsall roadworks."
The road is part of a wider scheme planned for the former James Bridge Copperworks, which sits in Darlaston Road. Advantage West Midlands bought the site for £1 last year and now Walsall Council is aiming to retake control of the land which has been earmarked for the Darlaston Strategic Development Area (SDA) with the potential to create up to 4,500 jobs over the next decade.
The prime position 28-acre site, either side of the M6, is already being prepared for development after work started on filling in 250 mine shafts on the site this month.
It was announced last year that the site would see the creation of improved transport links. But this is the first hint at what is being planned and a behind closed doors meeting will be held at Walsall Council House to discuss the proposals tomorrow.
There will also be up to 875,000 sq ft high quality floor space that will support a variety of investment opportunities from logistics and distribution hubs to workspace and industrial units suitable for smaller start-up and growing businesses.
Work on the new bridge over the canal was due to start last April but was delayed until May.
The route is now blocked at the bridge, with drivers redirected along Willenhall Road and The Crescent.
It also means more vehicles are forced on to Wolverhampton Road West rather than Bentley Road South, which is regularly used by lorries.
