Consultation Plans for Birchley Island
Council bosses hope to transform the busy Birchley Island in Oldbury with a multi-million pound scheme to cut traffic congestion.
The roundabout, which is the junction of the A4123 and A4034 and also links to Junction 2 of the M5, is a major gateway to Sandwell and also links to Wolverhampton, Dudley and Birmingham.
Traffic currently backs up around the island at peak times, with queues often blocking the approach roads. The queues cause problems changing lanes to leave the island and the roundabout is difficult for cyclists and pedestrians to use.
The Council is looking at four options for improving the island and members of the public are being asked to taike part in a consultation which is available on the council's website: www.sandwell.gov.uk/birchleyisland
The scheme will aim to increase the capacity on all of the roads meeting the island to reduce congestion, which also creating predestrian crossings and dedicated cycle routes.
The options being looked at are:
- Option A - Widening the M5 link and putting traffic lights on all of the aproach roads, preliminary cost £10.5million
- Option B - As Option A plus extending the A4123 Wolverhampton Road to go across the island creating a two-way "hamburger" island preliminary estimated cost £12.7million
- Option C - As Option A plus extending the A4123 Wolverhampton Road to go across the island one way (northbound) plus a one-way link from the M5 to Churchbridge, preliminary estimated cost £14million
- Option D - Creating a traffic junction similar to the one a Burnt Tree, preliminary costs £12.9million
Following the consultation, the council's Transportation Planning team will prepare a report in June 2014 outlining the options considered, the results of the public consultation and recommending the preferred option.
A business case will then be submitted to the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) who will include the project in its Growth Plan submission to the Government.
Once the outcome of the Growth Plan submission and the amount of money that the Government has allocated is known, a decision will be taken buy the LEP as to whether the scheme can proceed. The council would then need to apply for planning permission and acquire the necessary land, possibly through a Compulssory Purchase Order.
If funding is approved, it is hoped work could start in March, 2016.
Sandwell Council's cabinet member for Jobs and Economy Councillor Ian Jones said "Anyone who drives around the island knows that there can be queues at peak times. This is frustrating and we need to do something about it.
"We are committed to solving this probelm if we can get the funding to make some improvements.
"Improvements would cut journey time for drivers, make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use the island, and make bus journeys more reliable.
"We've looked at the possibility of constructing an underpass or a flyover, like we have with the underpass on the A4123 in West Bromwich.
"However, both would be extremely difficult to construct and very expensive because of the exectricity sub-station and the morotway viaduct.
"So we have four options on the table and we want members of the public to get involved and tell us what they think"
To see the four options and take part in the consultation, go to wwwsandwell.gov.uk/birchleyisland or email the Tramporation Planning Team This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 0121 569 4261/4889/4849 for more details about the proposals