A main road that links with one of the Black Country’s busiest junctions will be closed for two years so major improvements can take place.

Tividale Road, leading to Burnt Tree Island, may close from May until May 2011 as the island is replaced with traffic lights in a £10 million scheme.

Sandwell and Dudley Councils were given the go-ahead to proceed by the Department of Transport last year. Results of a funding bid are expected within months.

Sandwell transport chief, Councillor Bob Badham, said they would work with Dudley Council to try to minimise problems as much as possible but it had to be accepted there would be extra pressure on roads as improvements are done.

Work at Tividale Road will see the road diverted on to a new set of signals on the Birmingham New Road. The Birmingham New Road will then form part of the new signal controlled crossroads also linking with Burnt Tree and Birmingham Road.

Better pedestrian access and cycle lanes are planned.

Tividale Road will close from its approach to Burnt Tree Island up to Hill Road.

There will be access to homes and shops as far as Bradley Street. At the junction with Hill Road a barrier will close the road.

Diversions will be down Dudley Road West, up Hill Road and on to Birmingham New Road to get back on to Burnt Tree Island.