New bridge is key to £26m Darlaston roads project
A replacement railway bridge to cope with extra traffic is expected to be first piece of work in a £26 million road improvement scheme in Darlaston.
The old bridge in Bentley Road South has been earmarked as one of the key initial projects during the ambitious multi-million pound initiative. Work is anticipated to begin by the late summer or early autumn this year, subject to any formal opposition, with consultations about the project coming to a close next week.
Walsall Council transport chief Councillor Tom Ansell said: "We're looking at road improvements to unlock land for investment to help create jobs.
"Four junctions are going to be improved as part of the measures but we're in the hands of others over when the project can start.
"With a prevailing wind then it could be as early as late summer or early autumn.
"One of the first projects we'll be looking at is the replacement rail bridge for Bentley Road South. The one we have at the moment just isn't suited to the amount of traffic we'd need. There's a big task ahead but the potential rewards that drive us on are the possibility of thousands of jobs."
It also fits in with the creation of the 40- acre Darlaston Enterprise Zone by the M6.
Upgrades to roads are planned for Bentley Road South, Bentley Mill Way, the junction of the A4038 Darlaston Road and the A4148 Old Pleck Road. Work is also earmarked around the junction of the A461 Bescot Road and the A4148 Wallows Lane.
