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Nothing wrong with closed M6 slip road - but traffic chaos continues

An MP is demanding a slip road onto the M6 be re-opened – after transport bosses revealed there is nothing actually wrong with it.

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Drivers have been left wondering why the southbound entry road at junction nine near Wednesbury is shut – and has had its closure extended by five months – when no-one is doing any work on it.

Now it has been revealed that Highways England has kept it shut because of work it is doing elsewhere, amid fears it would add to congestion on the link road to the M5 if it was open.

It leaves drivers in the Black Country forced to take long detours to get onto the M6 further down, even if they have no intention of joining the M5. Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall South, said: "I have never seen any works taking place on or under the slip road. There has been no information why the slip road is closed.

"This frustration is compounded by confusion about when the slip-road will reopen.

"A press release from Highway England dated May 20 said the slip road would open on November 30, but a bulletin dated June 15 on the Highways England website said that it would open on July 30.

"I was alarmed to be notified that the slip road has been closed to reduce congestion on the M6 and local roads.

"The closure was agreed after consultation with Walsall and Sandwell councils. Rather than reducing congestion, the closure has increased congestion." Therese Coffey, deputy leader of the Commons, told Miss Vaz: "According to the Department for Transport, the entry road at Junction 9 has been closed to help to prevent gridlock on local roads in Walsall.

"If the road were kept open, traffic would have to queue to access the M5 link road, which has only one lane available.

"Queues would build up quickly and result in heavy congestion on the M6, which would back up into other roads in Walsall.

"I understand that Highways England has discussed the matter in depth with Sandwell and Walsall councils."

The slip road has been closed since January, causing long tailbacks on connecting roads and neighbouring junctions.

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