Birmingham New Road: 24/7 works to bring round-the-clock mayhem

Road closures at a busy junction on the Wolverhampton-Dudley border, currently taking place during off-peak hours only, will now see a 24/7 shutdown until the end of March.

Off-peak lane restrictions on A4123 Birmingham New Road will also see a 24-hour closure seven days a week, making it just one open lane in both directions. The closures are due to be start on January 3.

Local councillor Melvyn Mottram, for Coseley East, said: "It's going to be absolute chaos."

The decision was made in order to meet the original spring deadline for the completion of the work following problems in installing utilities at the site, involving more work than was anticipated.

The council said it wanted to avoid extending the work into the summer months.

A spokesman added: "Roadwork is not an exact science - there are a lot of variables involved and you can never be sure what you're going to find once you start digging. It was felt that a bit more pain now will be worth it to finish the work by the end of March, subject to weather conditions."

The scheme, centred on the key junction at Birmingham New Road and Shaw Road, is aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, and addressing safety concerns following several accidents at the spot.

The works are currently taking place during 9.30am to 3.30pm, from Monday to Friday, allowing no left turn from Birmingham New Road (northbound) into Shaw Road.

The longer working hours mean Shaw Road will have a 24-hour closure in force on both sides seven days a week, between Birmingham New Road and Hinchliffe Avenue on the east side, and from Birmingham New Road to Foster Avenue on the west side.

The Shaw Road closure, between Birmingham New Road and Hinchliffe Avenue remained in place until Friday.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment, said: "This is a key pinch point on the A4123 corridor that restricts access to a number of local development sites and strategic through routes, impacting on potential jobs and growth in the local area.

"We apologise in advance for any inconvenience the works cause and would urge road users to remain patient."

The east side diversion route will be Birmingham New Road, Ivyhouse Lane, Fullwoods End, Havacre Lane and Biddings Lane. The west side diversion route will be Birmingham New Road, Rookery Road and Ettingshall Road.

Councillor Mottram said: "It's very unfortunate but if the job's got to be done, perhaps it's best to do it this way, although there will be chaos on all the diversion routes as well as the Birmingham Road."

The scheme is a joint venture between Wolverhampton and Dudley Councils to help unlock the development of housing on six sites - Bilston Urban Village and Ward Street in Wolverhampton, land off Darkhouse Lane and Peartree Lane in Coseley, Coseley Eco Park, and land off Bloomfield Road, Tipton.