Anger over £3m bill for M54 junction work

The bill for installing controversial road safety measures on a junction of the M54 near Wolverhampton has spiralled to almost £3 million, an MP has learned. It follows a probe by Gavin Williamson.

He has checked on the money spent installing traffic lights, widening slip roads and painting new road markings at junction two of the M54 where it meets the A449 Stafford Road.

Figures obtained by the South Staffordshire Tory MP from Transport Minister Mike Penning in a written parliamentary answer reveal the cost of the £2.6 million scheme has risen to £2.9m.

The extra £300,000 of spending is down to "minor defects" being rectified by the contractor, said Mr Penning.

It follows an earlier mistake by workers during the construction when they painted markings on the road directing drivers to the M54 when the lane actually took them on to the A449.

The Highways Agency also admitted that seals on the buttons of the pedestrian crossings had been letting in rain water.

The lights were switched on in July after more than four months of work.

Mr Williamson has been demanding a review of the scheme because be believes it is not providing value for money. He said: "I think it is a disgrace that the Highways Agency has been able to squander money on its pet projects."