£800,000 revamp for roads around M6 Junction 10

An £800,000 programme of works to remodel the road network around junction 10 of the M6 in a bid to cut congestion was today unveiled.

Plans have been announced to transform the network around Wolverhampton Road, the Black Country Road and junction 10.

The scheme is at an early stage but Walsall Council has earmarked £85,000 of its own funds from the next financial year towards assessing the feasibility of the project.

Funding for the network would also need to come from the Highways Agency and Department for Transport.

There were 11 accidents around the junction between December 2009 and 2011, of which one was classified as serious.

Long traffic queues regularly build up around Wolverhampton Road and the Black Country Route as motorists head towards the M6.

Walsall Council chiefs say there is no timescale at this stage but around £800,000 has been suggested for "remodelling the junction".

Steve Pretty, head of engineering and transportation, said: "As part of the development of a scheme to address congestion at M6 junction 10, Walsall Council has ring-fenced £85,000 in 2012/13 to undertake preparatory work.

"As with any large capital project, a major improvement for the junction would take several years to develop and implement, and would require funding from government, the Highways Agency and the council."

A range of work has been carried out on the main motorway near to junction 10 over the last few years.

A £150 million project has seen the hard shoulder opened up as a fourth lane during busy periods.

Almost £100,000 worth of carriageway improvements were also carried out on the route, used by 160,000 motorists a day, last year.

By Craig Hughes