Walsall roadwork delays to last 18 months

Bentley Road South in Darlaston will be closed while work is carried out to build a replacement railway bridge to cope with extra traffic.

It is the first piece of work in the long-awaited multi-million pound road scheme, designed to unlock vacant industrial land in Darlaston and Bentley and create thousands of jobs.

Road chiefs today said motorists would face diversions and 18 months of disruption but hailed the long-term benefits of the work. Contractors Birse are due to close off the road for work on Sunday. The road upgrade work also fits in with the creation of the 40-acre Black Country Enterprise Zone in Darlaston.

Councillor Tom Ansell, Walsall's transport boss, welcomed the start of the work.

"We will have to close the bridge off in conjunction with the rail companies," he said. "We are lowering the road, strengthening the bridge and then we have also got to do some other work associated with the roadway going through Darlaston so we're taking the opportunity to shut the road.

"I'm very pleased to see this work happening. It is key for unlocking the land in that area for redevelopment. The length of the road closure will be outweighed by the long term benefits."

The current bridge is not considered to be suitable for the amount of traffic which would be created by new industrial businesses in the area.

Four junctions will be improved as part of the scheme. Upgrade work is also planned for Bentley Mill Way, where Showcase Cinema and Boundary Mill are based. The junction of the A4038 Darlaston Road and the A4148 Old Pleck Road is also scheduled to be remodelled while work will be carried out at Wallows Lane and Bescot Road.

A diversion will be put in place while Bentley Road South is closed and is expected to see increased traffic on surrounding roads including Bentley Mill Way, Willenhall Road and Wolverhampton Road West.