Stuck in Birchley Island traffic? This cash boost could finally see congestion eased
Congestion-busting improvements will finally be made at a notorious roundabout after a crucial funding package was agreed.
A key funding body has signalled its intention to pay for much-needed changes to the Birchley Island in Oldbury - one of the most congested spots in the Black Country.
Plans to build a new road straight through the middle of the island have been in the pipeline for years but have yet to come to fruition over a lack of funds.
But the leader of Sandwell Council Steve Eling has now confirmed the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership has agreed to provide the necessary funds for the major project.
Roads chiefs in Sandwell have been desperate to make changes at the island for years due to the level of congestion faced by drivers on a daily basis. It is a huge traffic hotspot due to its junctions with Wolverhampton Road and the M5.
Councillor Eling said changes were badly needed at the island and that work was likely to start in 2019 or 2020.
He said: "We have been waiting for commitment from the LEP on the future funding of the whole package.
"We have now received a letter from the LEP with a commitment to a package of funding to enable us to move forward.
"It just cannot cope with peak demand in mornings and afternoons. Thousands of drivers have no choice but to go via the Birchley Island as there isn't an alternative route for them. It is frustrating being stuck in traffic there and something has to be done about it."
The scheme preferred by the council would see changes to lanes and also involve extending Wolverhampton Road on a new roadway through the roundabout to create a two-way ‘hamburger’ island at a cost of around £12.7 million.
The ‘hamburger’ scheme, which would see the island be spilt in two to allow traffic to run through the centre of it, was approved by planners last year.
However, the council leader said it was unlikely any work would start until after the completion of a major repair scheme at the Oldbury viaduct on the M5, which has added to significant congestion in the area.
"We will not be doing anything on the Birchley Island while the motorway work is still ongoing, I wouldn't have thought," he said.
