Talks over M6 slip road closure amid row

Highways bosses say they are doing everything in their power to ensure an M6 slip road is reopened by November.

Councillors held showdown talks with Highways England on Wednesday demanding answers over the closure of the junction nine slip road at Wednesbury, which has caused fury among motorists.

Protests have even been held at the roadside, with the anger heightened after it was revealed that no work was actually taking place there.

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The entry to the southbound section of the motorway has been blocked off since the start of the year due to work taking place elsewhere and fears traffic coming onto the M6 at junction nine would only add to congestion on the link road to the M5.

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It leaves drivers in the Black Country forced to take long detours to get onto the M6 further down and has caused long tailbacks for drivers on connecting roads and neighbouring junctions.

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Wednesbury councillors Elaine Costigan and Peter Hughes met with Highways England chiefs in Birmingham over the issue.

They have previously been critical of the organisation over a lack of communication which they said was only causing more confusion and frustration for people who use the route.

But in a bid to improve dialogue, bosses have agreed to hold a public meeting in October to let people know what is happening.

Wednesbury North Councillor Ms Costigan said: "One half of the carriageway is complete and the other half isn't. I asked why they can't open it at calm times of the day, but they said they can't do it and it's as simple as that."

Highways England has also quashed rumours that had been growing that the junction could stay closed permanently.