Controversial roadworks on the M6 have finished on time – but a 50mph speed limit will remain for months.

Highways Agency chiefs say they have kept their promise to complete noisy work just yards from family homes as part of the scheme to open up the hard shoulder of the M6 during peak times.

The news will come as a relief to residents including those in Beechdale, Walsall, who have endured a series of sleepless nights over the last 18 months while construction took place between junctions 10 for Walsall and 10a for the M54.

Highways Agency spokesman Anthony Aston said: “All heavy construction is finished between those two junctions. There will be people testing signs along that stretch over the coming weeks, but no more work such as the installation of gantries will take place.”

But he said the 50mph speed limit between junction 8 for the M5 and 10a must remain for testing. Families in streets including Murdock Way and Crompton Close were put up in hotels when the work got too noisy.