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Birmingham New Road junction works to cause disruption

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Drivers will face months of disruption when a major scheme to improve one of the busiest junctions in the Black Country starts next month.

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Work on the Birmingham New Road, at its junction with Shaw Road, Coseley will begin on August 1 and is due to last until next spring.

Last year Wolverhampton council was awarded £1.5 million of government funding to carry out the work, which was originally due to start in March this year.

Work has been delayed as the council sought to find a contractor to complete the job.

Lane restrictions will be in place during off-peak hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, motorists will also be hit by work to replace water pipes in Coseley, leading to further delays through the summer.

[google_map title="Interactive map of the area" src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=z09APFVGVlC8.k-RYZVIqDwCM&z=15"]

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The Birmingham New Road scheme will reduce traffic congestion, improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, and address road safety concerns following several accidents.

It will improve access to urban centres and key development sites by providing additional traffic capacity at what has become a bottleneck.

Wolverhampton council will be working with Dudley Council to deliver the project, which will help unlock the development of housing on six sites – Bilston Urban Village and Ward Street in Wolverhampton, land off Darkhouse Lane and Peartree Lane in Coseley, Coseley Eco Park, and land off Bloomfield Road, Tipton.

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment at Wolverhampton council, added: "When completed, the new road layout will make life easier for residents, commuters and businesses in Wolverhampton and Dudley."

The improvements will provide new filter lanes from Birmingham New Road, new and improved pedestrian crossing facilities and new cycle infrastructure, as well as bus priority measures.

Dudley Council has also been approached by South Staffs Water to replace 370 metres of pipe work in Coseley this summer, which will impact on the Birmingham New Road/Shaw Road junction. Ivyhouse Lane will be closed from July 23 to August 7, with diversions along Tunnel Street, Green Street, Mason Street, Birmingham New Road and vice-versa.

Havacre Lane will be shut from August 8 to September 4, with diversions along Fullwoods End, Ivyhouse Lane, Birmingham New Road, Shaw Road, Biddings Lane and vice-versa.

Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "

Traffic will already be affected by work across the border, which is along one of our diversion routes, and therefore it is essential we work closely with our neighbours to make sure we do everything we can to keep traffic moving."