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M6 Junction 10 work to be brought forward

A £64 million revamp of the M6 junction 10 is set to be moved forward - potentially by as much as 12 months.

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Work is planned to make improvements at the junction 10 for the M6

The mammoth scheme to overhaul the junction is being done to reduce congestion, increase safety and improve links for businesses in the area.

The Department for Transport have confirmed that as part of their £15 billion scheme to improve the Strategic Road Network across England, the work will be brought forward by '9-12 months', meaning it could potentially get underway before the end of 2019.

Welcoming the news, Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes said: "Work to improve the M6 junction 10 are being moved forward, the Roads Minister wrote to me today.

"This is a huge investment by the Government into Walsall to improve congestion and help attract investment and jobs to Bloxwich, Willenhall and Walsall.

"I welcome this news - the sooner it happens, the sooner we can all benefit.

"I will, of course, be keeping pressure on Highways England to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum and will seek to meet with them to discuss any concerns from residents and local businesses."

Survey and investigation work around junction 10 of the M6, for Walsall and Wolverhampton, was carried out in June.

Around 8,000 vehicles pass through the junction every hour during peak periods.

The new design will increase its capacity to 10,500 vehicles per hour.

As well as the junction widening, improvements would be made to the junction slip roads, modifications to adjacent local roads and the installation of new intelligent traffic signals.

In a letter to Mr Hughes explaining the changes, roads minister Jesse Norman MP said: "Given that we are now more than two years into this first investment period, we have taken the opportunity to look across the remainder of the programme and make some adjustments to the sequencing of scheme delivery.

"As a result of this work, Highways England will be bringing some schemes forward for earlier delivery and moving some schemes back.

"This is a sensible and responsible way to deliver major national investment in road infrastructure.

"It will keep our roads moving, deliver a lasting legacy for the country and ensure best value for money for the taxpayer.

"I am pleased to say that Highways England will be bringing forward the start of works of the M6 Junction 10 scheme by 9-12 months."