Multi-million pound roadworks planned to bring business to Wolverhampton

Council planners have released details about the series of road works and transport programmes, which will take place over the next three years.

Plans include a feasibility study and design work on the Stafford Road corridor to the i54, to boost links to the £500 million Jaguar Land Rover plant, which is currently under construction.

The stretch of road covers the section from the M54's Junction 2 to Vine Island, Fordhouses, which planners are looking to turn into a duel carriageway. Work on Vine Island itself was finished in December.

Another major project will aim to address congestion on the A454 Willenhall Road, which is seen as an important arterial route linking the M6 at Junction 10 with the city centre.

The chunk of money for the wide-ranging list of projects will come from the Government's Local Growth Fund.

Ross Cook, service director for city environment, said: "The council's model recognises the need to develop a pipeline of future projects that can take advantage of funding opportunities as they arise.

"Therefore initial works like traffic modelling, feasibility, site investigation, detailed design and public consultation will have already been completed."

The cash will pay for traffic modelling and data gathering during the current financial year.

Some £30,000 has also been set aside this year as part of a rolling programme across the city to promote bus travel, which includes improving bus stops and bus priority at junctions.

Old and worn-out traffic signals at the corner of Alfred Squire Road and Neachells Lane will be replaced while right-hand filter lanes will be improved to help traffic flows.

Signage across the city centre and Ring Road will also be reviewed.

Council bosses say new signs, such as showing how access the railway station via Corn Hill, have become necessary.

Urgent safety measures, including guard rails and road markings, have been earmarked at various sites around the city as part of the programme.

Part of the 2016-17 budget has also been allocated to school gate parking, with traffic restrictions to be put in place outside a number of school buildings.

The idea is to ease congested roads at arrival and home times where traffic problems could put children at risk.

Minor safety schemes, such as the removal of the raised planting bed in Great Hampton Street, will take place over the next 12 months along with a programme of micro-asphalt laying to extend the life of a number of city roads.

The council says the scheme will be flexible and responsive to issues as they occur.