M6 Junction 9 slip road reopen as M5 link roadworks finally end
Overrunning motorway roadworks which caused a year's worth of chaos on surrounding roads have finally been completed - six months later than expected.
Repair work on the link road off the M6 at Wednesbury on to the M5 in West Bromwich finished this morning.
It brings to an end 12 months of misery for motorists across the region, caused by sealed off lanes and the closure of the M6 Junction 9 slip road.
All roadworks have now been removed, meaning the southbound carriageway has returned to full lane capacity and the slip road reopened.
But bosses have warned there could be up to six overnight closures in the New Year on the same stretch in order to complete 'snagging works'.
Highways England project manager Jess Kenny, said: "We would like to thank motorists for their patience throughout the year in what has been a long and challenging maintenance programme.
"It was vital that we did this work and we are pleased to finally have the roadworks removed."
"In the New Year we will need to carry out final pieces of work which will be done overnight and will have minimal impact on motorists."
The work, which was carried out to replace damaged waterproofing along the stretch of motorway, was originally due to be finished in June.
But it met a series of delays after it emerged that damage underneath the carriageway was far worse than bosses had expected.
The job was extended until November, but another four-week delay followed after extensive steel corrosion and concrete damage was found.
As part of the work the Junction 9 slip road at Wednesbury was blocked off. This meant drivers were forced to travel miles out of their way to access the M6 from Walsall town centre.
In August frustrated residents protested at the slip road over fears that its closure had caused Walsall to become a gridlocked town.
Wednesbury North Councillor Peter Hughes said: "It is absolutely fantastic news. The work has caused a great deal of inconvenience for drivers who had to re-route and there was also an impact on Wednesbury because of the diversions.
"It's also great news for businesses, particularly in the run up to Christmas. A lot of big stores have been inconvenienced with people going elsewhere."
Walsall North MP David Winnick said people had suffered 'terribly' across Walsall as a result of the roadworks.
"I know there will be a lot of relief and satisfaction among the many who have been affected by this," he added.
"It is welcome news with Christmas approaching."
