Warning of road closures for Metro works

A short section of Sedgley Road East in Tipton will close temporarily to vehicular traffic from Monday 24 October as work to install a purpose-built bridge for the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro route gets underway.

Those travelling along Sedgley Road East over the autumn are being asked to leave more time for their journeys and to follow clearly signed diversion routes.

Public transport users are also being advised that bus services in the area may run on amended routes and they should check their operator’s website before they travel. In addition, pedestrian diversions will be in place as footpaths beneath the structure are temporarily closed.

It is anticipated that the closures will be lifted by mid-December.

The Midland Metro Alliance says it has worked with Sandwell Council and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to notify residents, businesses and organisations directly impacted by the localised closure.

Tom Maplethorpe, project director at the Midland Metro Alliance, which is designing and building the route on behalf of TfWM, said: “The works to install the new bridge follow activity in the summer of 2020 to remove the old structure over Sedgley Road along with subsequent offline works to facilitate the new structure. We’re pleased that those living close by will be able to witness this exciting step forward in this project as one of the final new structures for phase one of this route is installed.”

Mark Corbin, director of network resilience at TfWM, said: “The closure will be in place throughout the autumn and during this time delays are possible so we are asking people to consider their journeys wherever they can.”