Work on Birmingham New Road finally complete

The £1.5 million scheme on the Birmingham New Road in Coseley started in August last year.

Lane restrictions were put in place on the dual carriageway during off-peak hours. But on Sunday, following months of disruption, it was completed.

It has seen the creation of new filter lanes and improved pedestrian crossings and conditions for cyclists. Bus priority measures have also been introduced.

During the work, lane restrictions were in place off-peak hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. It was then extended in January, when the lane closures went round-the-clock.

The decision was made in order for the work to meet the deadline. The work was aimed at combatting congestion on the road, which is used to get from Wolverhampton to Dudley, Oldbury and the M5.

It was also designed to address road safety concerns following a series of accidents.

The work was a joint venture between Wolverhampton and Dudley Councils also intended to 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.

Dudley Councillor Melvyn Mottram, for Coseley East, said he was pleased to see the work had finished, but added he was yet to hear of positive results.

He said: “My personal feeling is that we have not yet felt the improvements from the scheme. A couple of people I know are saying they have yet to see a difference.

“If you are coming up from Bilston Road and if anyone is turning right at the junction, the queues still go back as far as Anchor Road.

“We’ll have to see how the scheme plans out.”

Gwyn James, the council’s head of strategic transport, said: “This was a key pinch point on the A4123 corridor that restricted access to a number of local development sites and strategic through routes, impacting on potential jobs and growth in the local area.

“I would like to thank everyone for their patience while the works took place.

“The improvements will make life easier for residents, commuters and businesses in Wolverhampton and Dudley.”