Express & Star

Work to reduce congestion at Walsall roundabout begins

Work to reduce congestion on a busy Walsall roundabout was set to begin this week.

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Mellish Road roundabout. Photo: Google

The first phase of construction for the Mellish Road roundabout was scheduled to start on Monday, which includes the utility diversion works and the commencement of the layby works on Lichfield Street.

There will be a level of disruption during the works, Walsall Council said, but they will try to minimise the impact to local residents and businesses.

Under the plans, two lanes will be created for inbound traffic on Lichfield Street adjacent to the Arboretum and a new bus lay-by will be put in to reduce delays for outgoing traffic.

The pelican crossing on Lichfield Street will be moved closer to the roundabout and upgraded for greater public safety. The central pedestrian crossing on Lichfield Street will also be upgraded.

Butts Road will become one-way in an easterly direction between the junctions of Westbourne Street/The Butts/Butts Road and Butts Road/Lichfield Street to prevent vehicles from making U-turns from Lichfield Street into Butts Road.

Making Butts Road one way will create space for a new pedestrian crossing which will improve pedestrian safety and reduce delays, Walsall Council said. The one-way operation also creates the space for new parking bays on Butts Road.

The work also includes upgrading crossing facilities on Lichfield Road and Buchanan Avenue.