Hopes on £30m Darlaston roads scheme

A £30million scheme that will see new roads, bridges and junctions created near to the M6 in the Black Country could get under way as soon as December, it was announced today.

The improved transport network would support the new Enterprise Zone being created in Darlaston, which is bringing thousands of jobs to the area.

Walsall Council bosses submitted a bid for £30m of funding last year and will hear the final verdict in December.

But in light of the recent Enterprise Zone announcement, they today revealed they were more confident than ever in securing the cash.

Transport councillor Tom Ansell said: "We are very confident on the merit of the bid we put forward, it was very strong. It met all of the criteria the Government was asking for. It is now looking especially strong after we were given the go-ahead for the Enterprise Zone."

He added:?"We will hear in December and work will start virtually immediately, the developers are already on standby.

"It really will be all systems go. New roads will help lead to new jobs and investment."