Plans for road closures and diversions finalised as work on Blackheath bus development gets underway
Work is under way on the £3m Blackheath Bus Interchange Project, with disruption in two centres expected for up to seven months.
Funded to the tune of £2,891,252 by central government's Towns Fund programme, council bosses say the new development will mark a 'major milestone in the regeneration of the town.'
The bus interchange will be centred around Market Place and all town centre services will load and drop off there. The stops will centre around alongside a landscaped public space, which will replace the existing traffic island and create a safer pedestrian environment.
Work on Phase One is now under way and continues until April 19.
It will also affect Birmingham Road, Oldbury Road, Park Street West and Halesowen Street, with traffic diverted via Birmingham Road, Archer Way, Henderson Way and vice-versa via Horner Way and Bassano Road,.
Phase Two will start on May 20 and last until August 5 and phase three from August 6 until September 22 with further restrictions in place.
McPhillips, the main contractor for the project, will oversee the works with monthly updates shared with businesses and traders to keep the community informed throughout.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: “This project aims to encourage more people to visit Blackheath town centre and will support shoppers, businesses and traders.
"We are creating an inviting public space and making it easier to access public transport links as well as improving safety and reducing congestion.
“Together with our contractor, we will continue to work closely with businesses, traders and residents in the town centre to keep disruption to a minimum while we carry out these improvements.
"The new interchange and road layout will mean buses and other vehicles will no longer have to compete for the same road space in parts of the town centre, so improving traffic flows.
"Also, buses will be able to dock properly at stops, offering safe, level access for people with mobility issues or with pushchairs."
Visit www.regeneratingsandwell.co.uk for more information about the project or www.sandwell.gov.uk/roadclosures for more details on temporary traffic plans.
