Ringroad re-development
Ringroad map
Please view a map of the ringroad redevelopment (PDF 1.2MB). You can zoom in and out on this PDF file to see more detail of the works.
Latest updates
View our ringroad updates page for the latest updates.
What is the problem?
Walsall is choking and our existing ring road cannot cope with increasing numbers of vehicles. It is made up of single carriageway roads and low-capacity traffic light-controlled junctions that have changed little since the 1950s.
Congestion is rising and motorists rat-running through residential streets to avoid the lengthening queues means children and older people are at risk.
As traffic flows have increased, vehicle speeds have decreased. This affects both private motorists and buses public transport becomes less efficient and everyone travelling around the north and west of the town centre is sitting in a “tunnel of pollution”.
The layout is also poor for cyclists and pedestrians, which has been a contributing factor in the number of road accidents which occur. Massive congestion means the ring road is failing both through traffic and vehicles trying to access the town centre.
Why do we need to do anything?
Walsall's roads, car parks and rail lines are not just transport arteries. They are investment channels that must be improved for the town in order to diversify and attract modern and dynamic new industries.
Congestion is going to become much worse over the next ten to fifteen years. We cannot build roads to solve the problem, but we must safeguard the mobility and economic development the car has brought us.
To do nothing would be irresponsible we must try and reduce traffic, encourage alternative modes of travel and make better use of the roads we have.
Walsall Council's Transport Strategy outlines a specific vision for an efficient and reliable transport system that supports people's health and quality of life, as well as helping to revitalise the economy of the borough.
What are we planning to do?
We will upgrade the existing ring road between Manor Hospital and the Arboretum involving major layout improvements at seven out of eight main junctions. This will reduce congestion and improve the ring road for the benefit of all road users including pedestrians, cyclists and bus passengers.
Major bus routes running into the town centre will benefit from improved performance. Creating a series of “access loops” within the town centre to divert through traffic onto an improved ring road will cut rat-running.
The TCTP will improve air quality in the town centre, improve the town's appearance and boost the re-development of derelict sites along the route.
New safer pedestrian crossings will encourage people to walk into town and a new segregated cycleway and footway will run alongside the ring road between the Arboretum and Manor Hospital. This will make cycling into the town centre easier and safer. A Landscape Strategy and Masterplan has been drawn up for the road corridor. The intention is to achieve a solution that not only works well but also looks as good as possible.
When will this happen, how long will it take and how much will it cost?
Work starts on Monday July 3 with an anticipated two-year construction programme.
The government has allocated Walsall £16.62 million to create a town centre transport system that works. We are working on a series of major junction improvements at the sites listed below:
- Pleck Road/Rollingmill
- Street junction Pleck Road/Bridgeman Street junction
- Pleck Road/Wolverhampton Road/Blue Lane West junction
- Green Lane/Blue Lane West/Court Way junction
- Stafford Street/Court Way/Littleton Street West/Day Street junctions
- Hatherton Street/Littleton Street West/Littleton Street East junction
- Arboretum junction
To view maps and explanations of what will happen at each of these junctions, please see our ringroad improvements page.
What does this mean for Walsall's town centre?
This scheme will enhance access to the town centre as a place to live work or visit. The town centre will attract investment and sites that have fallen vacant through the closure of traditional industries will be redeveloped.
We have already seen plans for a ‘Business, Learning and Retail Campus’ approved by the council’s development control committee. The planning application has been made under ‘Walsall First’ - a pioneering initiative between Walsall College, Tesco, Walsall Council and Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC).
This major project will help create a ‘seed-bed’ of enterprise, skills and business to make Walsall one of the leading towns in the West Midlands and give local people opportunities to learn vital new skills. It will provide a new college and Tesco Extra store on sites either side of the improved ring road on Littleton Street West.
Within the town centre traffic will be limited to buses, taxis, delivery vehicles and for access. Rat running will be reduced and there will be fewer accidents.
The scheme will also improve junctions adjacent to the Manor Hospital giving better access for patients, visitors and ambulances.
How will this affect me?
Walsall Council will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum, but delays are inevitable while construction work is carried out. We will do our best to keep you informed about how work on this vital project will affect your journeys in the borough.
We will post regular updates here on the council’s website. Just go to the special ‘Ring Road Latest’ (hyperlink) section to check on latest developments. We will also issue regular information on roadworks though the local newspapers, radio and TV.
The TCTP is a long-term investment to secure Walsall's future. Less congestion will mean better public transport and make it easier for people to change their travel habits.
Easier access and improved surroundings will also prove a greater incentive for companies to invest in Walsall.
I have a comment to make about the project – what do I do?
Walsall Council welcomes your comments about how we are doing.
You can pass on your comments on by
- Telephone 01922 471969
- e-mail ringroad@walsall.gov.uk
- or by using our online ringroad consultation form
You can also write to Steve Pretty - Town Centre Transport Package, Engineering & Transportation, Walsall Council, Civic Centre, Darwall Street, Walsall, WS1 1TP.
This page was last updated on 28 May 2008