Lorries will be allowed to use bus lanes on a busy Walsall road to ease congestion in the town in the first red route scheme of its kind in the West Midlands.

Double red lines, which mean no stopping is allowed, will run along the A454 Wolverhampton Road from Pleck Road to Junction 10 of the M6 at a cost of £2.5 million.

As part of the groundbreaking proposals, the bus lane will be moved further down the Wolverhampton Road and will also be shared with lorries.

The green light for the plans was given at a meeting of the cabinet held last night.

Walsall’s transport chief said the new red route was paramount to improve links in and around Walsall town centre.

The proposals have been backed by Centro and local bus operators and three new shelters will also be on the route.

Around 35 car parking bays will be provided along the route for the disabled and for delivery drivers.

It is estimated that congestion costs the West Midlands economy £2.2 billion per year and Walsall Council sees red routes as vital in helping to tackle it.

Councillor Anthony Harris, cabinet member for transport said the plans were a big boost for motorists travelling to and from Walsall.

He said: “This is a fantastic scheme which I believe is the first of its type in the West Midlands and which will see lorries use bus lanes.

“This measure is set to get traffic moving smoothly and will also cut down on traffic congestion getting to and from Walsall.

“Red routes really are fantastic schemes and I believe they are the way forward for Walsall.”