Walsall taxpayers fork out £46,000 after multi-million-pound project Darlaston bridge left to ruin
The full cost of repairs to brickwork along a Darlaston road that was once part of a multi-million-pound highways project has been revealed.
Taxpayers have forked out £46,416.52 to repair the damaged wall beneath the Grade II-listed James Bridge Aqueduct in Darlaston.
For more than two years, trees and plants were dislodging the brickwork of the wall, which could have led to its collapse.
Walsall Council was first made aware of the problem as early as January 2024 when it was reported by a local resident.
But until March this year, the authority claimed that the works came under the remit of the Canal and River Trust.
At the time, the Canal and River Trust said it was aware of the problem, and that the works ‘may’ have fallen under the remit of Walsall Council.
Back in 2016, Bentley Mill Way reopened with fanfare marking the end of a £26 million highways improvement scheme in Darlaston.
However, less than a decade later, vegetation had taken over as the two organisations disputed which was responsible.
After initially passing the buck, the Walsall Council admitted responsibility for the maintenance, or lack thereof, and promised to carry out the necessary repairs.
Walsall Council did not comment on whether such a cost could have been avoided had the works not been initially neglected.
A Walsall Council spokesperson said: “The council has completed essential repairs to one side of the Bentley Mill Way aqueduct in Darlaston.
“This included clearing vegetation and fixing damaged brickwork. To ensure long-term safety and stability, the remaining side requires similar vegetation removal.
“Plans are being made to include both sides in future maintenance work to help prevent further deterioration.”
