Ringroad FAQ

Why are there lots of traffic cones around and no sign of workmen?

Some traffic management is complicated to set out and needs to be done overnight to make it safe for the people putting the cones out and to avoid disruption to traffic during the day.

Quite often traffic management will be used for several pieces of work and these do not always follow on from each other.

It would be more disruptive and confusing to keep removing and reinstating the traffic management, so providing there is not expected to be a long gap between parcels of work, it is more efficient to leave it in place. Walsall Council will ensure that no traffic management is left on for longer than necessary.

Why is the Arboretum roundabout being removed?

It is unfortunate that to obtain maximum benefit from the Ring Road improvements, the traffic island has to be lost, but the main objective of the project is to improve traffic flows around the ring road by better managing congestion.

As part of the design of the scheme, a nationally-accepted computer programme was used to predict traffic movement and queues.

This software was used to determine the benefits of several options for the Arboretum junction, including putting signals on the existing island. Of all the options examined the replacement of the island with a signal controlled junction was found to be the most efficient by some way.

Why have so many mature trees been removed from along the route?

Those trees that have been removed would have been a danger to traffic once the scheme is completed. The council will be providing many more trees as part of the project than have been removed.

Why is the contractor carrying out work at night or on weekends?

Walsall Council is keen to minimise disruption to pedestrians and traffic. In certain cases the work cannot be done during the week without serious disruption and it might also be unsafe to do it at this time.

In these instances, night or weekend working minimises the impact on all users of the highway during the working week.

Will I still be able to access the town centre by foot or by car?

During the construction works, access to the town centre will be maintained.

There may be occasions when temporary road closures are necessary and at these times diversion routes will be clearly signed. Following completion, access to the town centre will be improved with pedestrian crossing facilities at all junctions.

Will my journey through Walsall be delayed due to the work?

For the most part the existing road system will be largely unaffected. The scheme requires an additional carriageway to be built alongside the existing one and the contractor will be concentrating on building much of the new carriageway first.

Once this, or sections of it, are available, traffic will be switched onto the new road so that the existing can be dug up.

With all work of this kind there will be inevitable occasions where delays will be encountered but the council is working closely with the contractor to keep these to a minimum.

Will there be a lot of heavy lorries using estate roads during the construction?

Walsall Council has stipulated in the construction contract those roads can be used for construction traffic and those that cannot. Construction traffic is restricted to the main roads and will not be allowed on estate roads.

If you would like specific information about your road please e-mail ringroad@walsall.gov.uk.