Residents are being asked for their opinions on improvements to a major Black Country route.

The official consultation has now begun into planned work to the A461 from Burnt Tree along Dudley Port and Horseley Heath to Navigation Island.

The consultation will run until April 3 and will include information drops to properties on the route and cul-de-sacs off it. Homes just off the route will also receive the information.

The Network West Midlands Exhibition Bus will be holding exhibitions at Somerfield Car Park, Dudley Port on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and next Tuesday from noon to 8pm.

During the exhibitions people can drop in to see the proposals and discuss them with the project team. Large-scale plans will also be on display and members of the design team will be on hand to answer any questions. The proposed scheme includes putting traffic lights at the Lower City Road and Tame Road junctions.

It is hoped the it will reduce travel times for motorists using the route, improve pedestrian facilities and new pedestrian routes, improve safety for road users and create new cycle facilities and links along with new parking bays at key locations to accommodate parking and loading.

Sandwell’s neighbourhoods chief, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: “We would urge people living in the area to take advantage of this consultation period to find out about what the scheme involves and make their views known.

“These are major changes we are proposing with the aim of improving the flow of the traffic and we want people to look at these proposals.”

Full details of the proposals and the consultation are available on-line at www.sandwell.gov.uk/a461, or call 0845 602 8744.