U-turn as council promises to fix crumbling multi-million-pound project bridge in Walsall
Walsall Council has admitted responsibility for the crumbling brickwork along a road that was once part of a multi-million-pound highways project.
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Bentley Mill Way reopened in 2016 after works to lower the road beneath the Grade II listed James Bridge Aqueduct were completed.
The reopening of the road marked the end of a £26million highways improvement scheme in Darlaston.
However, less than a decade later, trees and plants are breaking through the brickwork of the wall which could lead to its collapse.
The council was first made aware of the issue as early as January 2024 when concerned Walsall resident Mandy Allsopp reported the problem.
But until now, the council had claimed that the works came under the remit of the Canal and River Trust.
After initially passing the buck, the authority has admitted responsibility for the maintenance, or lack thereof, and has promised to carry out the necessary repairs.
The change in stance comes after an earlier story by the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the worsening problem.
A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “We are aware of issues relating to the brickwork at Bentley Mill Way and arrangements are being made for the offending vegetation to be removed.
“This will allow us to carry out the necessary repairs to the retaining wall, which is owned and maintained by the council. It is anticipated the work will commence by the end of March.”
