Payout claims due on island scheme gripes

Compensation claims over the 21 months of roadworks at the Burnt Tree Island will be launched once they are finished, the Express & Star has learned.

Chartered surveyors representing residents concerned about the effect the works will have on their homes will wait until they are complete so they can gather evidence. Cardiff-based firm William Ricketts confirmed it was representing residents over problems with loss of access. Another firm, Derbyshire-based Morgan and Co, has also written to people.

Birmingham Road and New Birmingham Road residents have been offered the firm's services.

Work costing £12.3 million to replace Burnt Tree Island with traffic lights has been going on since August and tailbacks through Dudley and on the Dudley Port road in Great Bridge are a daily occurrence.

Businesses have had to give staff maps to help them find alternative routes to work while residents have complained of not being able to get cars out of garages.

William Ricketts spokeswoman Janice James said: "We look at such schemes throughout mainland Britain and we are working on a no-win no-fee basis.

"We have written to people to say that they may be entitled to compensation if they have been affected."

Linda Jones, of New Birmingham Road, said she had been in touch with a firm about compensation.

The 57-year-old, who has two sons, Ryan, aged 16, and Robbie, 14, said that when work started she had not been able to get to her garage at the back.