Council leader: M5 roadworks' impact will be felt next month

Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said so far the knock-on effect of the major works 'hasn't been as bad' as anticipated.

But the true impact of the Oldbury Viaduct repairs will have its acid test when pupils are being ferried to schools in September, he added.

Councillor Eling said: "We'll see what it's like when all the schools are back and traffic is back up to full flow, which it isn't at the moment.

"So far the impact on the local network of roads hasn't been as bad as we thought it might be – but it is the holiday season.

"I'm still encouraging people to go another route – rather than using that stretch of the motorway – if they can.

"There will be pinch points on local roads including Birchley Island, which historically has always been one.

"This work on the motorway has got to be done, the repairs have got to happen.

"One of our big concerns has always been that it doesn't bring West Bromwich town centre to a standstill, and certainly that hasn't happened yet.

"We have talked to Highways England and they're encouraging through traffic to go via the M42, M6 or M6 Toll to avoid that part of the M5.

"If the only traffic which uses that stretch is traffic that's got to use Junctions 1, 2 and 3 – and all other traffic uses other routes – then we've got a good chance of getting through without everything grinding to a halt."

The project to repair Oldbury Viaduct has progressed this week, with a contraflow system put in place.

All traffic has been moved onto the northbound carriageway between junctions one (West Bromwich) and two (Oldbury) – with two lanes running in each direction.

The motorway has also been cut to two lanes from junction three at Halesowen to limit the amount of vehicles approaching the roadworks zone.

The scheme is due to last until the end of next year and motorists have been warned to avoid the area if possible.