The latest phase of essential road works to support a major Wolverhampton regeneration scheme will get underway this month.

The Stafford Road/Vine Island Highway Improvement Scheme is now nearing completion and engineers will be carrying out road surfacing works at the new roundabout, at its junction with Wobaston Road and at the Bee Lane / Stafford Road junction.

This will mean temporary traffic arrangements will be in place in the area.

The junction is being transformed to support the i54 South Staffordshire development and handle the anticipated increase in traffic.

The current works will involve a closure of Bee Lane from 7pm on Thursday 10 October to midnight Friday 18 October.

During this time, Bee Lane will be closed completely at its junction with Stafford Road A449. Access to all properties and businesses on Bee Lane will be maintained from Wood Lane and Cottage Lane.

Drivers wishing to access Bee Lane from the Stafford Road A449 will be diverted to the Three Tuns Roundabout and then via Three Tuns Lane and Wood Lane to Bee Lane.

In addition, a weekend contra-flow system will be in operation on the Stafford Road from 7pm on Friday 11 October to midnight on Sunday 13 October.

During this weekend there will be a traffic contra-flow in operation. Vehicles travelling along the A449 from the direction of the city centre towards the M54 will be directed onto the opposite carriageway for a distance of approximately 450 metres.

Whilst the contra-flow is in operation, vehicles travelling from the direction of the city centre will be able to turn left into Wobaston Road. However, vehicles travelling from the direction of the M54 will not be able to turn right into Wobaston Road, but will be directed to the Three Tuns Roundabout, and back along the A449.

In addition, there will be no exit for vehicles out of Wobaston Road onto Stafford Road. All vehicles travelling from the direction of Bilbrook/Pendeford will be diverted via The Droveway, Blaydon Road and Oxley Moor Road to rejoin the Stafford Road. Access to Patshull Avenue will be maintained from the direction of The Droveway.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Prosperity, said: "We are very much on track to finish these vital works on time.

"This will create a host of benefits for the whole area and I'm pleased that it is progressing well.

"We understand that these forthcoming works will cause some disruption but, as we have done throughout the whole scheme, we will work to keep these at a minimum.

"Residents and local businesses have been kept informed of the temporary traffic arrangements and diversion routes will be clearly signposted to direct all road users.

"I would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and co-operation."

The Stafford Road/Vine Island Scheme is on target to be completed before the end of the year, weather permitting.

  • released: Wednesday 2 October, 2013