They were supposed to help manage traffic around the i54 business park – and although the 6,000 job project has yet to find a developer, the lights have been switched on at Junction 2 of the M54 near Wolverhampton.

Work to erect traffic lights on the roundabout on the A449 Stafford Road carried on regardless of delays with the £67m i54.

Drivers were filtering through the lights during this morning’s rush hour after they were switched on at lunchtime yesterday, four days late. Traffic was running smoothly with no reported queues.

However critics today pledged to monitor the roundabout closely as they are sceptical the £2.6m scheme will achieve its dual aims of reducing accidents and cutting congestion. The

Highways Agency says the lights have been installed because 78 people have been injured in 51 collisions over five years, although none were seriously hurt. It also says the junction will now be able to handle more traffic when the 237-acre i54 site finally gets going.

Colin Leighfield, chairman of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s transport policy group, said: “The Highways Agency says the lights will reduce the number of accidents by two thirds. I think that claim is highly arguable and we will be monitoring that.

“There is also the claim the lights will mean the roundabout can handle more capacity when the i54 is up and running. We will see if it improves congestion – which I doubt, as it is pretty good round there anyway – or makes it worse.”

Mr Leighfield repeated concerns over the cost of the project, adding: “If it’s going to be 10 years until i54 is done why spend the money now?”

The scheme was dreamed up as part of changes to the road layout in preparation for the i54 business park at Fordhouses, which is meant to bring 6,000 jobs to the area.

Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands decided not to go ahead with the lights at the M54 junction but the Highways Agency said it would pick up the tab because of the safety issue.