Nightmare journeys around Walsall’s roadwork-clogged town centre will ease within days with a key junction set to re-open.

Finishing touches are being added to the turning from Lichfield Street to the Arboretum traffic island.

The junction has been shut for two months for work as part of the £17million overhaul of the ring road, adding to the misery faced by motorists using the busy network. Highways chiefs said the junction was due to re-open on July 6. They have thanked local traders and motorists for their patience.

Walsall Council’s cabinet member for highways Councillor Anthony Harris said: “This is a major step forward on the path to creating excellent roads that will help Walsall breathe more easily.

“I’d like to make a personal thank-you to the business community as well as motorists for their ongoing understanding and patience on what is a hugely complex and detailed project.

“The junction at Lichfield Street has been closed for more than eight weeks and we’re delivering on our promise to get it re-opened as swiftly as possible.

“We’ve asked people all along to bear with us with these road improvements that are going to be a major improvement for the town.

“As things slot into place I’m sure they can see the improvements we have talked about.

“The scheme is likely to be finished by the end of the year with substantial parts open by the autumn which is good news for Walsall.”

Yesterday 100ft high lamp posts were installed at the Arboretum island, which is being changed to a five-arm traffic light junction.

July will also see the temporary closure of Hatherton Street as the work gathers pace. Elsewhere along the ring road, contractors are waiting for gas, water, electricity and communications firms to finish their complex underground work.