West Bromwich Albion v West Ham: Forge Lane to be open for match
Potential travel disruption for fans travelling to The Hawthorns on Saturday has been avoided, with the news that a main parking route will reopen for Albion's match against West Ham.
Fans had been warned to expect major delays before the game, after Forge Lane was closed following a diesel spillage earlier this week. But police revealed this evening that the road will be open by Saturday afternoon.
Forge Lane and Park Lane have been closed between Newton Road and Birmingham Road since Tuesday after reports that a pipe was deliberately drilled to access fuel.
Forge Lane leads from Newton Road, passing Hilltop Golf Course, Sandwell Valley Country Park and Handsworth Cemetery before meeting Birmingham Road just metres from The Hawthorns.
The Park Lane industrial estate is a popular parking spot with Albion fans.
The Baggies face West Ham on Saturday in what is their penultimate home game of season and supporters had been told to expect delays
A Sandwell Council spokesperson said work was being done to get the road open quickly but in the meantime access would only be available to frontages.
However police revealed on Friday evening that the road would be open for fans travelling to the 3pm kick off.
An investigation has been launched into the diesel spillage, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning, threatening to contaminate local parkland.
Remnants of the fuel could still be seen on Tuesday evening after the bulk of the clean up was done, and a strong smell of diesel remained in the air.
Police said early indications suggested the fuel pipe was deliberately drilled to access fuel.
Forge Lane leads to Hilltop Golf Course, Swan Pool in Sandwell Valley Country Park and is near RSPB Sandwell Valley.
The pipe that was drilled runs next to the course, just a couple of yards from the main road.
