Campaigners win fight for action at clogged Dudley junction
Campaigners fighting for improvements to a traffic-choked road junction in Woodsetton have won a major victory.
Traffic lights at the junction of Parkes Hall Road and Sedgley Road, will be changed to help reduce tailbacks.
Residents have long complained about long queues every weekday morning and evening with traffic stretching back nearly a mile along the route on some occasions.
When more than one vehicle is waiting to turn right out of Parkes Hall Road , the carriageway becomes blocked as cars travelling straight ahead cannot pass those waiting to turn.
The lights will change from having a four-way cycle to a three-way cycle in a bid to cut queuing time.
It means there will be a separate right-way green light for motorists coming from Parkes Hall Road.
Councillor Dean Perks, who represents Upper Gornal and Woodsetton, said the junction was 'a regular bottleneck for frustrated motorists'.
The changes will come into force in July when work to resurface the junction will also take place.
Councillor Perks said: "Since getting elected last May I've worked to improve the lights at the Bramford.
"I was told we could have this done in 15/16 but that changed due to funding. It's now been agreed the lights cycle will be changed to three way in July the same as those at the top of Eve Lane.These improvements are a simple solution to a long-standing issue.
I am glad that our common sense suggestion for a three-way cycle is to be introduced."
Earlier this year, work was completed to upgrade a crossing on Sedgley Road following a campaign by residents.
They had been battling for action for nearly two years – raising a petition containing around 500 signatures.
Work took place in January to install flashing LED lights to the columns on the zebra crossing, near Mount Tabor church to increase its visibility to drivers. Metal 'halos' also equipped with small flashing lights were installed around the orange beacons as an additional measure.
Other measures included improved markings and anti-skid surfacing around the crossing. It is hoped the upgrade will prevent drivers from failing to stop at the crossing.
Councillors said replacing the zebra crossing with a pelican crossing, which would allow pedestrians to stop traffic with the push of a button, remained an option if problems continued.
Residents launched the campaign after complaints motorists were not stoppingat the crossing – even when pedestrians were already on it. had already started to cross.