Walsall’s nightmare town centre roadworks could be delayed until next year, it emerged today.

The multi-million pound Town Centre Transport Package Scheme was expected to be completed just before Christmas helping to encourage more shoppers.

But it has emerged today the deadline for finishing the £17 million overhaul of the ring road has been put back again until January 4.

And it is feared the hordes of motorists travelling to next week’s Walsall Illuminations at the Arboretum will cause even more chaos.

The mammoth scheme, which has has brought frustrating traffic jams throughout the day, began in summer 2006 and was expected to take two years. Recent downpours meant workers had to stop and the discovery of cables pushed another section behind schedule.

Council chiefs have insisted time is being clawed back and have not ruled out the scheme being finished ahead of the festive season.

Pleck Councillor Dennis Anson said he feared more traffic chaos after being informed the deadline for the Pleck Road section of the scheme had been moved until 2009.

“I have been told Pleck Road will now be finished by January 4 and I really hope this is true as the date keeps going back and back,” he said.

“I was told May, September, December and now this date and I get complaints from people every week.”

It emerged today the re-opening of Hatherton Street South at the junction of Littleton Street has been stalled by a week after contractors Norwest Holst unearthed an unchartered cable. It will now be closed until October 3.