Traffic trouble near M6 with contraflow and resurfacing roadwork underway

Installed on Friday, the system allows for the transformation of the busy Walsall junction, with resurfacing work taking place along the A454 Wolverhampton Road on the westbound approach to Junction 10, between Tempus Drive and the motorway roundabout.

Two new bridges are being installed at Junction 10 which will double the lanes of traffic around the roundabout to four to tackle heavy congestion at the junction.

The contraflow transfers traffic from its usual side to share the other half of the carriageway with traffic moving in the opposite direction and will be in until 6am on Thursday, April 7.

National Highways issued a warning prior to the introduction of the system that it was likely to cause significant traffic delays.

A spokesman for National Highways said: "The work is likely to cause significant delays for traffic travelling west on the Wolverhampton Road towards the junction and drivers are urged to use alternative routes if possible, such as Pleck Road towards Junction 9, and to allow additional time for journeys.

"While the contraflow is in place, the Wolverhampton Road westbound will be closed between Tempus Drive and Junction 10 overnight, between 10pm and 5am.

"A clearly signed diversion route will be in place. The two eastbound lanes will remain open overnight."

"Two new bridges are being installed at Junction 10 which will double the lanes of traffic around the roundabout from two to four.

"The increased capacity will tackle heavy congestion at the bottleneck junction.

"The new bridges will replace the existing two-lane bridges which have been in place for around 50 years."

National Highways and Walsall Council, supported by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, have joined forces to fund the upgrade, with contractor John Sisk and Son is carrying out the work.

For live traffic updates follow the @HighwaysWMIDS Twitter feed.