Bentley Road South scheme is delayed

The opening of a £1.2 million route through the Black Country has been delayed once again, highways chiefs said today.

Further hold-ups have hit Darlaston's Bentley Road South scheme, where a new bridge is being put in place to take extra traffic.

The project was expected to take 12 months to complete with the route ready to re-open in May. But Walsall Council has admitted it will now only be ready for traffic by the end of July.

Changes to the road layout near the former Boat Inn pub have been blamed. A car wash has been granted planning permission for the site for two years after which more permanent buildings are being sought as part of the town's long-term regeneration.

Walsall transport chief councillor Tom Ansell said: "We are making minor modifications as an interim measure to satisfy highway safety regulations.

"We are looking at the road opening by the end of July."

Council chiefs claim work along the busy route between Darlaston and Bentley will "unlock the potential of Darlaston."

It will allow larger lorries of up to 40-tons to travel over the bridge and reach industrial sites. It previously had a 17-ton restriction.

The old graffiti-daubed structure was levelled last autumn and foundations were put in place at the beginning of the year.

Drivers have had to re-route along Willenhall Road and The Crescent.