Decision due on major M6 Junction 10 revamp
Long-awaited plans to revamp a busy Black Country motorway junction could be given the go-ahead by local councillors tonight.
The multi-million pound project for Junction 10 of the M6, between Wolverhampton and Walsall, will see two new four-lane bridges built, increasing the capacity from 8,000 to 10,500 vehicles an hour.
It will take around two years to complete but will not begin until late next year or early 2020, if given the nod.
The £64.5 million pound revamp of the junction, where the motorway meets the Black Country Route and Wolverhampton Road, was unveiled by Highways England and Walsall Council two years ago.
A planning application was submitted last year and a potential starting date for work was given for the end of this year.
However Highways England announced in February that work would start in late 2019 at the earliest.
As well as increasing capacity and reducing congestion, it is hoped the scheme will support economic growth in the Walsall area and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Members of Walsall Council’s planning committee are looking to approve the plans at their meeting which is being held at 5pm.
MP for Walsall North Eddie Hughes said he was firmly behind the plans: “Clearly any alteration to this junction is going to cause disruption to say the least but in the long run it will be essential to the area. I certainly hope it proceeds as quickly as possible.”
The scheme will also include widening the crossroads junction on the Black Country Route and the A454 at the turn off for Tempus Drive and Bloxwich Lane.
The existing bridges at the junction will continue to be used while the news bridges are built.
