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Darlaston and Pleck Highways Proposals

Update December 2009 – Post-Public Consultation

Local residents, businesses and landowners were asked to express their views on the scheme proposals in the period up to Friday 30 October 2009.

62 people attended the public consultation events held on 6 October 2009 and 10 October 2009.

30 questionnaires were completed and returned.  

Of the 30 questionnaires received:

  • 82% of respondents approved of the whole scheme       
  • 88% of respondents approved of the proposals for Bentley Road South
  • 88% of respondents approved of the proposals for Bentley Mill Way
  • 75% of respondents approved of the proposals for Wallows Lane Junction
  • 79% of respondents approved of the proposals for Darlaston Road Junction

NB. This is a small number of responses and is not necessarily representative of all people’s views.

Specific comments made about elements of the scheme have been noted and will help inform the final designs.  

A number of one-to-one meetings were also held with directly affected land / property owners.  

The next stage in progression of the scheme is the applying to the Department for Transport for funding in early 2010.  

The Council is committed to keeping people informed of progress and working with anyone directly affected by the proposals to try and address any concerns.  

Who can I contact regarding this scheme?

Matt Crowton
Principal Transport Planner – Regeneration

Walsall Council
2nd Floor
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG

Telephone 01922 65 37 44
Email dsda@walsall.gov.uk

Bentley Mill Way

Introduction

The industrial area of Darlaston has great potential. Following years of decline there is now an opportunity to do things which, over time, will attract new businesses, create jobs and increase prosperity.

Key to unlocking this potential is improving the road system. Throughout Darlaston and Pleck, the flow of traffic is affected by an outdated network of roads.

This project is about improving these roads at key points and creating the conditions for the new investments in business and jobs.

What is the aim of the scheme?

  • Improve access to existing businesses in Darlaston from the M6 and main roads.
  • Improve access to new business development sites from the M6 and main roads.
  • Improve the general movement of traffic in the wider area.
  • Reduce the number of accidents and make the roads safer.
  • Investing in new pavements, street lighting and other environmental improvements that will encourage pedestrians and cyclists.

Darlaston Improvements

What are the proposals and where will they be?

Bentley Road South

  • To widen and strengthen the canal and railway bridges allowing for safer traffic movements and increased capacity for those travelling to and from the A454 Black Country Route.
  • Pedestrian facilities will also be improved through the introduction of new footways.  
  • At the junction with Heath Road / Richards Street / The Green the existing signalised junction will be replaced with a roundabout.

This will improve traffic flow by distributing the traffic more efficiently. This will help to stop queues building up.

The proposals will help safeguard jobs at businesses located in Bentley Road South and will improve road safety. This will help to create conditions that will enable new businesses to invest in development sites along Bentley Road South and Willenhall Road.  

Bentley Road South

Bentley Mill Way

  • Bentley Mill Way runs under James Bridge Aqueduct. At this point, the road will be lowered in order to accommodate large vehicles which are currently damaging the aqueduct. Traffic signals will be introduced so that it is clear which vehicle has ‘right of way’ through the aqueduct.
  • Bentley Mill Way / Darlaston Road junction will be changed from a T junction into a traffic signalised junction.
  • Improvements will also be made to the footways, lighting, facilities for cyclists and landscaping.

This will help create the conditions that will enable new businesses to invest in development sites along Bentley Mill Way and Darlaston Road.  

Darlaston Road (‘Brown Lion’) Junction

  • Bescot Road, Darlaston Road and Old Pleck Road arms of the junction will be improved to increase capacity and accommodate future traffic levels.

Wallows Lane Junction

  • The existing signalised junction will be replaced with a roundabout. This will improve traffic flow by distributing the traffic more efficiently.  This will help to stop queues building up and accommodate future traffic levels.

What are the benefits?

The main benefits will be a more effective road network, less congestion and less pollution. The road network will also be safer for pedestrians and cyclists.  The improved access to and from the M6 motorway and A454 Black Country Route, together with an improved environment, will help promote new business investment.  This will bring jobs and skills opportunities for local people.

darlaston highways improvements

How will the proposals be funded?

Walsall Council will be applying to the government for the majority (90%) of funding. The remainder will come from the Council’s own investment and private sector contributions. As with all schemes of this nature, there is no guarantee that the government will make the funding available.  

When will construction work begin and end?

Advance works on the canal bridge along Bentley Road South will be completed by Spring 2010.

Subject to government funding approval, the earliest date that construction could start for the rest of the scheme is Summer 2012, with completion by Spring 2015.  

Public events – find out more about the scheme

The proposals at the four locations are designed to work together to address traffic issues across the area as well as in each specific location.  What can be done at each point is largely fixed because of technical constraints.  However, the public’s comments and suggestions are valued and can inform some aspects of the design and relevant landscaping.  Consequently, the following public events will be taking place, which can be attended by anyone (no need to book, just turn up on the day):

Tuesday 6 October 2009 12pm – 8pm

Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley

Saturday 10 October 2009 11am – 4pm

St. John’s Church Hall, Scarborough Road, Pleck

Online questionnaire

We would be grateful if you have a spare five minutes to complete a questionnaire about the proposed improvements for Darlaston and Pleck Highways Improvements.

Who can I contact regarding this scheme?

Matt Crowton
Principal Transport Planner – Regeneration

Walsall Council
2nd Floor
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1DG

Telephone 01922 65 37 44
Email dsda@walsall.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 21 December 2009