Black Country roundabout secures £24m funding for congestion-busting revamp

The Department for Transport has pledged to invest £24m to reduce congestion on the Birchley Island roundabout in Oldbury.

Situated between the A4123, A4034 and M5, the intersection currently suffers from congestion and hold ups.

Funding has been sought for improvements for many years, with this most recent bid the joint work of Sandwell Council, Transport for the West Midlands, Midlands Connect, Black Country Chamber and Black Country LEP.

As well as introducing new lanes and widening the existing carriageway, improvements will be made to cycling and walking routes leading to through and from the roundabout.

The improvements will cost £30m in total, made up of £24m investment from government and a £6m local contribution from Sandwell Council, Transport for the West Midlands and Black Country LEP.

Work will likely start in the next few weeks, and will be completed in the next two to three years.

The scheme was one of seven submitted to government by sub-national Transport Body Midlands Connect, after it was asked by the Department for Transport to prioritise and select the most important improvements needed on the Major Road Network.

Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect, said: “There are a number of reasons why we asked Government to prioritise this scheme – Birchley Island is a strategically-important interchange linking local and national roads, including the M5 motorway. Commuters, locals and businesses alike have struggled with congestion for too long, it’s fantastic that these works can now go ahead, reducing hold-ups and improving the poor air quality caused by idling traffic.

“Working in partnership with the Sandwell Council, Black Country LEP, Black Country Chamber and Transport for the West Midlands has allowed us to make a strong, united case for investment, and overcome the obstacles that had previously slowed progress.”

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Birchley Island has been notorious with Black Country residents for years due to the amount of congestion that builds up, and so I am delighted to have helped secure the funding we need from Government to finally give the roundabout a major overhaul.

“From widening carriageways to increase capacity, to additional lanes to tackle congestion, these works will make a real difference to every driver who has had to endure the misery of being stuck in and around Birchley Island.”