Walsall road accidents bring safety improvements

Work is to be carried out on the main A4124 between Willenhall and Bloxwich after Walsall Council has set aside almost £65,000 for the scheme.

There were 15 collisions between October 2011 and 2014, of which four were considered serious, and this has been highlighted as part of the local safety scheme for 2015/16.

The scheme being lined up is better road marking, a new crossing point near The Square, warning signs and high friction surfacing. In total, it is estimated the works will cost just over £64,000.

Willenhall councillor Ian Shires welcomed the investment. He said: "The amount of traffic that road carries is quite unbelievable, particularly with all the diversions going on with the work at Broad Lane on the bridge and Essington."

He added there have been issues with car cruising along the route on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights around midnight, and that was also an issue which needed to be resolved.

It comes as roads across the borough are being considered for improvements.

Main routes in Walsall are being looked at for more than £800,000 of work after a series of accidents.

The ring road, Broadway, Sutton Road and the town centre are among those being lined up for safety improvements, subject to funding.

Pedestrian facilities and junction improvements are being looked at on the Ring Road along the Littleton Street.

Highways chiefs are also putting together proposals for 20mph zones in the town centre and upgrading pedestrian links.

The council are also considering warning signs and a new pedestrian refuge at Broadway West, near West Bromwich Street, and crossing build outs on Sutton Road.

One of the major schemes is £60m being pumped into the transformation of the M6 junction 10 island.

There will also be some modification work to the Black Country Route.