Preparation work at a former copper refinery near Walsall to make way for a new business park will take up to six months.

Work has started on the preliminary stages of work at the former IMI James Bridge works, in Darlaston.

Development agency Advantage West Midlands has awarded Morrisons Construction the pilot study in a deal worth £500,000.

The study will provide further data about the site and help to establish which techniques will be most effective when preparing the site’s full 12 acres, which has more than 90 disused mine shafts, other workings and land contamination.

It is expected to take between four and six months, preparing the site for a proposed business park.

Stuart Kirkwood, director of development at Advantage West Midlands, said: “As the regional development agency, we are uniquely placed to develop and deliver regional solutions to regional issues, and are dedicated to ensuring that prime locations are prepared for development.

“This joint venture is a great example of how effective partnerships between public and private sector are working together to acquire, assemble and prepare for the remediation of land which would otherwise remain derelict.”

Nick Bird, of Walsall Re-generation Company, said: “Sitting both sides of the M6, this site represents one of the Midlands’ prime regeneration opportunities with the potential to attract local, national and international companies.”