Months of roadworks begin on busy routes

Motorists were today facing months of hold-ups as several sets of roadworks kicked off across the Black Country and South Staffordshire.

The M54 and M6 motorways and one of the busiest routes in Codsall were all affected, with diversions and road closures put in place. A £126 million project to open up the hard shoulder of the M6 was starting today.

This comes at the same time as a £2.1m scheme to replace drainage on the 1.7-mile carriageway from the M5 junction one for West Bromwich to the M6 junction eight, Wednesbury.

Drivers using the M5 could face up to 10 weeks of disruption to allow for the work.

A section of the M54 was also due to be closed overnight tonight and tomorrow during repair work to a footbridge between the Shifnal services at junction four and Telford town centre at junction five.

And in Codsall, a £180,000 project to upgrade the busy Station Road was under way, with diversions and road closures in place until April.

Council bosses hope the work will revitalise the heart of the village and bring in more visitors and new businesses.

Footpaths will be upgraded and damaged kerbs replaced as well as a complete road resurfacing from Wolverhampton Road to Chapel Lane.

Station Road is home to Greggs, Co-op food, travel and funeral care stores, the Post Office and scores of other businesses, which were today asked to be patient while the work is carried out.

The roadworks will be in place from 8am to 4pm weekdays. Crews will also be carrying out work seven consecutive Sundays, starting on March 11.