Last call to have say on major Willenhall Road plans
People can have their final say on multi-million pound plans to ease congestion, build new homes and create businesses along the A454 road between Wolverhampton and Walsall.
A three-month public consultation over plans, which would transform the area around Willenhall Road, is closing on Monday.
Officials want to cut traffic jams on the route which links Wolverhampton to Walsall and the wider Black Country via the M6.
Around 20,000 vehicles drive along the A454 daily and has long been identified for a revamp.
And council officials eye the chance to regenerate the area including building 8,000 new homes and creating 12,000 new jobs.
Wolverhampton Council is considering two options.
A project to widen the west side of Neachells Lane, Wednesfield, costing £6 million, and the prospect of developing a new link road and 'hamburger' island on the same road for £16m.
A report to council bosses earlier this year said: "The A454 Willenhall Road route has been identified as a growth area for major regeneration across the region.
"Significant proposals have been outlined for a number of key locations along the route. Investment and improvements are expected to provide a further 8,000 homes and 12,000 new jobs by unlocking these regeneration opportunities.
"In order for this to happen, transport improvements are a necessary requirement. Improvement works at Junction 10 of the M6 are due to begin, and once completed these will increase traffic flow along the A454."
Referred to by the council as the ‘East Gateway’ scheme – the main route between Wolverhampton city centre and Walsall – the road also allows connections to the Black Country Route and the M6 at Junction 10.
It also provides essential access to 34,000 homes and 75,000 jobs and forms part of the West Midlands Key Route Network (KRN) and the national Major Road Network (MRN), connecting Wolverhampton Ring Road at the western end with Walsall town centre to the east.
Also being developed in parallel to the scheme is the proposed introduction of a Wolverhampton to Walsall rail service.
Final developments for the route are set to be approved later this year, with work scheduled to commence in 2021.
Any members of the public wishing to give their input to the council’s plans for the Willenhall Road project have until Monday to give their feedback at consultation.wolverhampton.gov.uk
