Long-awaited Birchley Island revamp set to start in 2022
Work on a long-awaited revamp of a notorious Sandwell roundabout is now not expected to start until at least 2022.
Further details on plans to cut traffic congestion at the Birchley Island in Oldbury have been revealed. The scheme has been in the pipeline for around a decade but has never been able to secure the necessary funding.
However, the overhaul now appears to be close to coming to fruition, with a virtual exhibition having been made available for the public to view.
The £30 million revamp will see roads leading onto the notorious bottleneck widened, to allow for more lanes and traffic lights replaced to improve traffic flow. Traffic will also run through the middle of the roundabout.
Birchley Island is one of the most heavily congested spots in the Black Country at peak times, with traffic from Wolverhampton Road, the M5, Churchbridge and Birchfield Lane all converging onto it.
Sandwell Council has been asked to submit a business case to the Department of Transport.
If approved, the authority said work could start in 2022 and would likely take two to three years to complete.
Councillor Jackie Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable transport, said: "Birchley Island is a major gateway for the area - not just for Sandwell but the entire region with millions of vehicles passing through each year.
Connectivity
"Not only does this project aim to resolve our immediate issues of local congestion, this is a key project that will contribute towards the growth and development of Sandwell by improving its connectivity to the Black Country.
"The new design will improve air quality and make the junction much easier for those who cycle or walk."
Acting leader Maria Crompton said: "These improvements are very much needed not only for our residents but for our local and regional businesses who use this junction on a daily basis.
"For too long this junction has been a bottleneck and I fully welcome these plans to make the necessary improvements and the virtual exhibition gives us the opportunity to see the proposals brought to life.
"The council has pledged £3.18million and we are hopeful our business case to the Department of transport will provide us with the necessary funding to get this scheme started.
"There are big plans for the future in both the Black Country and the wider West Midlands area and we want Sandwell to be a key player in the strengthening of the local economy."
