Countdown begins as junction opens
Date Published : 07 July 2008
A major landmark for motorists has been reached as part of the £17 million Walsall ring road scheme.
Traffic lights have been switched on at the Arboretum junction which is used by thousands of cars and lorries every day.
Contractors Norwest Holst have worked with Walsall Council engineers to transform the roundabout into a traffic signal controlled junction.
The switch-over took place yesterday(Sunday 06 2008) to help minimise disruption with drivers urged to be aware of the changes and the extra care.
Councillor Anthony Harris, Walsall Council cabinet member for highways, said: “With another landmark under our belts the countdown really has started in earnest to the opening of the ring road that we have waited 30 years for.
“Drivers have been very patient and they are now seeing real changes taking shape. What we have done is to keep the traffic moving while constructing a major new road which has been a great achievement."
“It’s worth remembering at this stage that the real benefits of the scheme won’t be felt until the whole of the ring road is open, up and running. Please bear with us while we continue to carry out this complex work and we would like to pay tribute to the patience of motorists and traders who know that short term pain will be worth long term gain.”
“We made a promise that this would be done by mid-July and we’ve honoured that promise. This is due to hard work of our contractors and efforts of council officers and patience and understanding of the business community.”
The change to a traffic light-controlled junction re-opens Lichfield Street to town centre-bound traffic. Traffic can exit the town centre heading towards the A4148 Littleton Street East.
Motorists heading towards the A461 Lichfield Road, A454 Mellish Road and A4148 Broadway North can continue to leave Lower Rushall Street as at present.
A dedicated bus lane in Lichfield Street has opened to speed-up public transport through the town with the ring road is set to be declared officially open in December.
The proposed re-opening comes after a series of landmarks have been reached on the ring road project – also known as the Town Centre Transport Package.
Four state-of-the-art high mast lighting columns were installed at the Arboretum last month with a new stretch of road opened linking Littleton Street and Green Lane.
Contact us
For more information about the scheme contact the helpline on 01922 471969 or log on at www.walsall.gov.uk and follow the links.