Gas roadworks to force diversion

A major Black Country road is to be closed for two months while gas mains work is completed. A stretch of Noose Lane in Willenhall will be shut.

The scheme is due to be carried out between the level crossing and Watery Lane.

This has led to fears motorists will be diverted through the housing estate and past people's homes.

Work on the gas main renewal scheme is due to get underway on May 4 and will last for up to eight weeks. It is being carried out by Gas Alliance on behalf of National Grid Gas.

Willenhall councillor Carl Creaney said a road closure would impact as drivers use the route when coming off or onto the main Willenhall Road. He said: "It will cause some problems especially in the mornings and afternoons when it is busy.

"It could cause problems with motorists going through the housing estate where there are kids playing outside." It is the latest in a series of roadworks to hit the West Midlands.

Penn in Wolverhampton faces 18 months of water main works and the Burnt Tree island in Tipton is currently being replaced as part of a long-running programme of works.

Bentley Road South in Darlaston is currently closed as part of a year-long project to replace a canal bridge and temporary traffic signals are in place along Wolverhampton Road in Pelsall for a gas main renewal scheme.