Gornal road safety project gets £50,000

An accident blackspot road in Gornal is to get £50,000 of improvements in a new safety scheme announced today. Campaigners today celebrated the news their concerns about Straits Road have been heard by highways chiefs.

The cash will be spent on resurfacing, warning signs and anti-skid road surfaces in a bid to tackle the problem. A spate of accidents including one where a lorry ploughed through bus shelter has prompted the pleas for action from worried residents who want repairs to be carried out.

Campaigners claim the road surface has been deteriorating for a while and has started to loosen more with the bad weather in the last 12 months.

Highways engineers have revealed plans to close Straits Road between the Acton Drive and Louise Street junctions next month for works. Closures will be in place from February 6 to 10 between 9.30am until 3pm daily.

Ward councillors David Stanley and Tim Wright said the council had listened to the concerns and had agreed to take action.

"This is short-term disruption for long-term gain," said Councillor Stanley. "The road surface is worn out and would have needed resurfacing sometime.

"The money has been found in the council's highways budget and we are pleased it is now going to be done."

A diversion route will be set up along Summit Place, Himley Road and High Arcal for cars to bypass the works.

Dudley Council's transport chief, Councillor Patrick Harley, said: "The carriageway in Straits Road has become worn by regular use over the years. The cost of resurfacing Straits Road is estimated at around £45,600.

"Whilst the resurfacing is taking place, the opportunity will be taken to introduce localised road safety measures. The cost of the road safety work is estimated at about £6,000.

"Following several accidents over a number of years local ward members have approached highways officers and requested this safety work, which we are now able to carry out."

By Andrew Turton