Work on red route is delayed for a third time

Work on installing a red route along a major road in the Black Country has been delayed again, the Express & Star can reveal today.

Painting red lines and other works which will ban vehicles stopping from Burnt Tree to Great Bridge was due to start in November, before it was pushed back to the new year and then to May. The latest date mooted is the end of June. The delay has been blamed on design issues. Details about pedestrian crossings and traffic lights are being ironed out.

It is claimed the project, which is costing almost £1 million, will reduce congestion.

Sandwell neighbourhoods chief Councillor Mahboob Hussain said today: "We don't want to rush this, we want to make sure everything is right.

"We have decided now that the traffic lights at the junction of Dudley Port and Sedgley Road East will now be operated by sensors, so when the traffic is heavy, they will be on green for longer."

He added: "We have also decided to put in a new crossing at the same junction and more traffic lights at the junction with Upper Church Lane.

"This is a big project, we want to make sure it is perfect."

Double red lines will be installed all the way along the A461 from the Burnt Tree junction to Great Bridge.

The preparation work has already started.

Sandwell has been given £8.6m for red route projects in the borough as part of the West Midlands Local Transport Plan. It is part of a series of road works taking place.

The Express & Star revealed last week that work on a £24m road scheme is due to start in West Bromwich in June.

Up to two years of delays are expected when construction gets under way on the underpass on the A41 Expressway.