£1.3m plan to ease congestion on main Black Country road
Plans for a £1.3 million project to ease congestion at a busy junction on a main commuter route through the Black Country have been revived.
A fresh bid for funding to carry out work on the Birmingham New Road at its junction with Shaw Road in Coseley is being launched.
The scheme has been drawn up to make the route safer for pedestrians and motorists as well as reducing queues.
Wolverhampton and Dudley councils have previously had two applications for grants turned down.
But a new application is now being drawn up in a bid to attract cash from the Local Growth Fund.
Wolverhampton City Council Ian Bennett said: "We didn't succeed in our initial bid for money from the Local Pinch Point Fund. Subsequently, we submitted a separate bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, but that was also unsuccessful.
"Still, we don't give up that easily and we're currently making a bid for Local Growth Fund money."
But the scheme is unlikely to get under way any time soon as it could be 2016 before the funding is awarded.
Both councils have spoken of the need to improve the junction to make it easier for motorists turning in and out.
Dudley's cabinet member for transport Councillor Khursid Ahmed said: "It's important that we carry out work at this junction including upgrading the traffic lights there."
He added: "We would welcome improvements to this busy section of road and we are aware that our neighbours Wolverhampton City Council are leading on a project to improve traffic flow in the area.
"We will be continuing to speak to them about the progress of the scheme in anticipation of improved journeys for motorists travelling between Wolverhampton and Dudley."
There have been a number of crashes at the site, including inJune 2012 when a woman had to be cut free from a BMW which was in collision with an MG Rover.
The other junction still to be upgraded on the Birmingham New Road is at Sedgley Road West, which is due to be revamped as part of the plans for a £120 million business park bordering the two roads.
Right turns will be banned from Sedgley Road West on to the busy A123 Birmingham New Road towards Wolverhampton as a result.
