Residents and businesses are being consulted on the details of road improvements to the A449 Stafford Road between M54 Junction 2 and Springfield Lane.

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The aim of this major city gateway scheme is to support job generation and business growth - ensuring there is the highway capacity to support investment at local companies.

It provides access to major employment sites, including i54, Wolverhampton Business Park, and the Junction 2 employment area.

The scheme is expected to be funded by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership 'Local Growth Fund'.

Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, said: "Our highways improvements programme is making a big difference to the transport network in the City of Wolverhampton.

"The Stafford Road Area Action Plan (AAP) and the emerging South Staffordshire Site Allocation Document (SAD) present significant opportunities for improved and additional employment land along the A449 corridor and to the north of the city, including the next phase of development at i54.

"It is vitally important the road network matches those ambitions and supports businesses and jobs growth in the area.

"We are working closely with businesses and residents to ensure we deliver a scheme that benefits everyone and, as always, we will aim to minimise disruption."

The main works include the reduction of the existing central reservation and western service road verge.

This unfortunately means the loss of a significant number of mature trees. To compensate for this City of Wolverhampton Council is asking for residents and businesses to help identify suitable alternative locations for new landscaping and tree planting in the local area.

The scheme will also deliver:

  • additional right turn lanes to improve safety and reduce delays
  • increased vehicle capacity at junctions, including dedicated turn lanes helping to reduce emissions from standing traffic
  • improved linkage of traffic signals, including M54 Junction 2
  • improved pedestrian crossings supporting movements to the local retail facilities
  • enhanced cycle facilities along the length of the scheme
  • traffic noise reduction through the use of low noise surfacing

Works are expected to start in September 2017, once the scheme has been refined following feedback from the consultation process.

It is expected the project will take around 18 months to complete.

A drop in session to see more details and discuss the scheme will be held on Tuesday 18 April at St James Church, Taunton Avenue, Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, WV10 6PN, between 2pm and 8pm.

For further information or to send a comment please contact City of Wolverhampton Council on 01902 551155 or email transport.strategy@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

  • released: Tuesday 4 April, 2017