Plans in pipeline to improve busy Walsall island

Transport bosses in Walsall today revealed they are working on improvements for the busy Broadway and Sutton Road island.

It comes after a scheme to widen the bottleneck junction, which received backing from the Department for Transport, was scuppered by a gas main underground.

The plan, which is still in the early stages, will be funded with money left over from last year's red route budget.

There was £630,989 earmarked last year of which £422,065 was spent. The remaining £208,924 has been forwarded for this financial year.

Transport chief councillor Tom Ansell said today a number of road schemes around the borough were moving forward.

"The money has been allocated to other schemes for this financial year such as the mobile enforcement vehicle and some additional work at Sutton Road/Broadway island," said Councillor Ansell.

Initial plans last year for the busy junction were to create two lanes on the Broadway after the roundabout with Sutton Road.

It currently feeds into one lane before becoming a dual carriageway.

The latest red route carried out last autumn was on Broadway West to Junction 9 of the M6, and back to Rollingmill Street.

The red route only allows for stopping and waiting at certain locations.

Bosses are hopeful a red route proposal along the A461 Lichfield Road between Brownhills and Walsall could also be revived.

It was axed earlier this year due to funding cuts.

There have also been discussions over the possibility of creating one within Walsall town centre.