M6 island work to last two years

The roundabout is being revamped under £60 million plans to tackle years of congestion problems in and out of Walsall.

Lanes going over the motorway will be increased from two to four under plans to rebuild the bridges and improve traffic flow.

The ambitious project also involves widening the M6 slip roads and improving the Wolverhampton Road and Bloxwich Lane junction.

There will also be some modification work to the Black Country Route as in a bid to improve traffic flow.

Walsall Council and the Highways Agency are leading on the ambitious scheme which has received Government funding.

Work is anticipated to start within the 2017/18 financial year, and expected to take two years to finish, with highways bosses vowing to try and minimise disruption.

Traffic regularly builds up along Wolverhampton Road and the Black Country Route which lead up to the M6, causing long delays during peak travel periods.

Around 160,000 motorists a day use the busy stretch of the motorway and it is hoped the project will improve traffic in the area.

Firm details of the impact on motorists during the works will be agreed closer to the start of the works.

Transport chief, councillor Lee Jeavons said: "This is known as one of the busiest junctions in the entire country, with thousands of vehicles passing through junction 10 during the busiest hours of the day.

"This is going to be a big scheme and we have several years to plan for the works, so there is nothing immediate for people to worry about.

"We believe that it will make a major contribution to relieve congestion on the motorway and surrounding areas. If we don't address the congestion now, it will only get worse with more vehicles on our roads year on year."

A report has been produced from Matt Crowton, transportation strategy and policy manager, for the council's business, employment and local economy scrutiny panel.

He said: "Traffic management arrangements have not yet been finalised until much closer to construction, but both Walsall Council and the Highways Agency will work together closely to minimise disruption to Walsall residents, businesses and visitors during the construction period.

"The construction duration is likely to take up to two years."

Motorists have faced delays at junction nine at Wednesbury this year while the southbound slip road has been closed during works to the Ray Hall Viaduct, the River Tame Bridge and Wigmore Viaduct.

There has also roadworks and speed restrictions along the M6 between junctions 10a and 13 at Staffordshire during works to open up the hard shoulder as an extra lane at peak times.