Bosses told to back red route scheme

A £1.1million red route along a major Black Country road today took a step closer to reality after highways bosses were told to give the project the green light.

Walsall Council bosses have been urged to give the go-ahead for the congestion-busting no-stopping route along the A4148 Broadway and Broadway West.

As part of the project, improvements would be made to junctions at Magdalene Road and Bescot Crescent.

It would be the third red route in the borough. If approved, it would mark the second phase of the ring road's revamp.

A report by senior transport planner Richard Banner, which will be going before council cabinet members on Wednesday, said 65 per cent of people consulted about the work were in favour of the red route.

"The scheme will make a significant contribution towards achieving the objectives of the West Midlands Local Transport Plan, which intends to reduce congestion, improve public transport, improve road safety and air quality and encourage economic growth," the report states.

"Improvements will provide benefit for all route users, including motorists, pedestrians, freight, local residents and businesses. The proposals have been developed to minimise an negative impact to citizens along the route.

Finished

"Before and after traffic surveys will be conducted to ensure that the proposals do not encourage increased levels of inappropriate use of residential roads by through traffic."

If given the green light, work is due to get under way next spring.

When finished, it will mark the completion of the borough's third red route so far, with others set to be installed over the next two years, along the A34 North, from the town centre to Bloxwich, and Brownhills' High Street.

A red route came into force in the town during the summer on the A454 Wolverhampton Road, costing £900,000.

And another similar scheme has already been created along Broadway North, despite traders voicing fears that it could affect trade.

It emerged earlier this year up to 80 red routes could be on their way to the West Midlands by 2015 under new plans to rid the region's roads of congestion.

Transport chiefs want to see a network of 260 miles of red routes under plans costing more than £28 million.

By Richard Williams