We are tackling M6 traffic, insist bosses
Highway bosses have insisted they are trying to tackle traffic jams caused in the wake of a five-month roadworks scheme on the M6.
Motorists have complained about delays and tailbacks following the closure of the junction nine southbound slip road at Wednesbury.
Queues of traffic have formed at times on connecting roads and neighbouring junctions including around junction seven at Great Barr and junction eight for the M5 link.
Many have been taking to social media to express their frustrations over delays since the project began on January 5.
Some suggested the slip road closure was part of a wider scheme looking at the longer-term implications of shutting junction nine – a claim refuted by the Highways Agency.
The work has also caused extra traffic chaos for shoppers going to the Gallagher Retail Park which is home to IKEA, PC World and Furniture Village. While commuters say they have been hit by delays on routes to work during busy rush hour periods.
Highways Agency project manager, Jess Kenny, said: "We are working closely with the local authorities to manage the traffic and make improvements where we can.
"For example monitoring traffic light phasing which can improve flows at busy times.
"As people are becoming more familiar with the works we are finding they are planning their journeys more effectively and using alternative routes where they can.
"The slip road closure is to limit the number of lanes going into the traffic management allowing more time for motorists to get safely into the correct lane to continue their journey.
"The slip road is not being closed in order to conduct an experiment on the traffic flows around this area."
The schemes, on structures on the link road between the southbound M6 at junction eight and the M5, north of Birmingham and at the M6/A38(M) Gravelly Hill Interchange, involve concrete repairs and drainage work.
Work on the M6-M5 link road will involve maintenance to bridges along the route.
It includes work to the Ray Hall Viaduct, the River Tame Bridge and Wigmore Viaduct. Work is due to be completed at the end of May.
Wednesbury South councillor Bob Lloyd said: "We know that there are still problems and issues down there at the moment on the surrounding roads. I have heard from people saying Wood Green Road is quite full at times.
"We are not sure why these repairs, especially on the slip road, have to take this long."
He added: "It seems as if people are more aware of the roadworks now and are adjusting to them more. People are using the neighbouring junctions too."
