More roadworks planned as Wolverhampton grinds to halt
Even more roadworks are to take place in Wolverhampton city centre, with a 25-day scheme to replace traffic lights starting today.
The £50,000 project will see all traffic lights on the island at Bilston Road replaced, one set at a time over the coming month.
But the city council's leader has apologised to drivers who have faced long tailbacks and diversions in a series of roadworks that have all taken place at the same time.
An inquiry is also going to be set up by Wolverhampton City Council to find out what lessons can be learned after multiple roadworks caused delays.
Are you affected by the roadworks in Wolverhampton? Leave your comments below.
Today the lights on the route into the city, from Middle Cross and Willenhall Road , were due to be switched off and replaced by give-way signs.
Workmen will go clockwise around the island replacing each set of lights in phases that will take four days each. It will be done between 9.30am and 3.30pm to minimise disruption and no extra lane closures are planned.
Drivers are also facing long delays at the busy Rock junction of Henwood Road and Tettenhall Road, where temporary traffic lights are being used because of the closure of Bridgnorth Road in Compton.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, said: "I want to apologise very sincerely to everyone who was inconvenienced by roadworks. The issue in Compton is an emergency and work is to repair drains and a surface in danger of collapse. Half term was the best time to do this."
He said a 'scrutiny' group of councillors would be asked to look at the timing of roadworks and see if lessons could be learned.
Public transport authority Centro was due to have finished on the island, one of the main routes into the city, at 6am yesterday.
However, it was another two-and-a-half hours before the traffic lights at the junction could be switched back on, causing tailbacks of around two miles.
