M6 slip road to stay shut for months as work overruns

The Junction 9 southbound slip road at Wednesbury has been closed since January, causing long tailbacks on connecting roads and neighbouring junctions.

Highways England bosses said problems with corrosion to steel beams is far greater than anticipated.

A spokesperson said: "Following our initial investigations, we have had to extend the duration of these works. We have found clusters of damage around the loadbearing supports and joints. The location of these necessary repairs is proving to be more challenging than we had anticipated.

"As a result these works are now expected to be completed in November 2015.

"We appreciate that this will come as a disappointment, but we have to complete these repairs to ensure the integrity of the bridge deck and the safety of the travelling public.

"We are aware of the disruption these works are causing and will continue to liaise, and collaborate with local authorities to co-ordinate our traffic management with other works where we can."

The re-waterproofing repair work stretches to the M5 link at West Bromwich with similar work taking place north of Birmingham and at spaghetti junction.

The work has caused 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. The Highways Agency say the slip road has been closed for the duration of the scheme to help keep traffic moving and reduce congestion.

Sandwell councillor Bob Lloyd, who represents the Wednesbury South ward, said the repairs seem to be 'never-ending.' "This is not the first delay we have had," he said. "It just seems strange that a slip road no more than a quarter of a mile long can take so long to resurface.

"The longer the works go on the more worrying it is in terms of investment for the area. One of the biggest selling points for Wednesbury is its good connections to the M5 and M6."

Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, said: "I'm unclear about why the slip road has been closed as no works appear to have taken place on it since it was closed. It's caused significant inconvenience to my constituents who have to follow a diversion to Junction 7 of the M6 or Junction 1 of the M5.