The latest phase of roadworks being carried out to support a major supermarket scheme will get underway this weekend.

Traffic lights at Chapel Ash Island will be switched off from Saturday 12 April until Thursday 17 April while contractors carry out works to upgrade the signals.

And from Monday (April 14), resurfacing works will be carried out on Lea Road, at its junction with Penn Road.

The work will be carried out over four nights from 7pm to 6am from April 14. While this is being carried out, lane restrictions will be in operation on Penn Road and Lea Road will be closed at its junction with Penn Road with diversions in place.

Sainsbury's are funding the whole road improvement project while the construction of the new Raglan Street store takes shape.

Earlier this year, work began to provide an additional lane on Ring Road St Mark's approach to Chapel Ash Island. Junction improvements have also been carried out at Chapel Ash and on Penn Road.

Sainsbury's started work on the new store last October and the development is expected to be completed in the summer.

As well as a large supermarket, the site will house an in store café, a petrol station, a 700 space car park, a recycling centre and a gym. Further works will include new pedestrian links across the ring road and shrubs, trees and other landscaping at the site.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: "These essential road improvements are progressing well and will complement the new store.

"Likewise, good progress is being made on the construction of the new store itself and this represents a significant investment into our city, providing a shot in the arm for the economy and creating a number of new jobs.

"The vast majority of the road works have been carried out off peak to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum and I want to thank everyone for their patience and co-operation throughout the works."

  • released: Friday 11 April, 2014