Diversion mix-up sees traffic chaos on lane

Drivers were hit with rush-hour delays and congestion after being sent down the wrong route as part of the project in Broad Lane, Bloxwich.

They were being redirected along Long Lane, but there were complaints from residents and councillors as mass traffic problems were caused at the start of the week.

It emerged there had been a 'communication breakdown' over the diversion route which has now been corrected to minimise the impact on drivers and families.

It had earlier been agreed between Network Rail and Walsall Council that vehicles should use Warstones Road, Essington Road, Lichfield Road and Sneyd Lane. This has now been put in place.

Essington councillor David Clifft said there had been problems with double parking and increased journey times along Long Lane. "The amount of traffic that was down there was unbelievable," he said. "The lane just can't cope with that amount of traffic."

Regeneration and transport chief councillor Adrian Andrew said: "Unfortunately the traffic management company carrying out work for Network Rail originally put the wrong diversion route in place for the closure of Broad Lane.

"Officers at Walsall Council were in contact with the company and the correct and originally planned diversion route is now being put in place. The route for through traffic that uses A462 Warstones Road, A462 Essington Road, A4124 Lichfield Road and A4142 Sneyd Lane is suitable for the types of vehicle and volume of traffic that B4210 Broad Lane carries."

The work on Broad Lane is part of an overall £5m investment to rebuild three bridges, including the one in Bloxwich and two in Hednesford. It will help raise the structures to pave the way for the £30m electrification project to speed up trains from Rugeley to Walsall.

The long-term benefits of the scheme will see an improved rail service, speeding up trains on the Chase Line from 45 to 50mph to 70mph by 2017. Broad Lane is used by motorists travelling between Bloxwich and Essington and traffic coming off the M6.

Network Rail spokesman Ben Herbert said: "It is going to be disruptive for people while we rebuild the bridge but it is a really important project for Walsall and the line."