Plans to completely close a busy road for two years while major roadworks take place have been scrapped after a campaign by businesses and residents.

Traders along the A4033 Tividale Road were outraged after it was announced the road in Tipton, near the border of Sandwell and Dudley, would be closed while the £12.3 million revamp of the blackspot Burnt Tree island goes ahead.

However, highways bosses at Dudley Council have confirmed they will allow one- way access from Burnt Tree while the works go ahead.

Shopkeepers and business owners along the road had feared their livelihoods could be destroyed if original plans went ahead to close the road in both directions.

After meeting with highways bosses from Dudley Council they were reassured that their suggestions would be taken into consideration.

Dudley Council Phil Parker said: “In response to concerns of traders and the community we are looking at modifying the working arrangements to improve access to the area and minimise the need to close Tividale Road completely.

“This will be achieved by allowing one-way access from Burnt Tree.”

Traders’ spokesman Gaz Khan, aged 29, of Lifestyle Express newsagents, in Tividale Road, said they were delighted at the news.

He said: “We did try for two way traffic, but we all knew that would be tough to ask for with the amount of work that needs to be done.”

The five-way Burnt Tree roundabout is to turned into a new crossroads, with work due to start at the end of July. One way traffic will flow from the island on to Tividale Road.

More than 800 signatures were collected on a petition against a total road closure, and traders wrote to Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.