Businesses will be open as usual during work on the next phase of the Blackheath Bus Interchange project starting on Monday (12 May).
The town centre and Blackheath Market will be open and accessible throughout the works.
The £2.9million regeneration project, funded by the Government’s Towns Fund programme, is creating a new bus interchange around Market Place. There will also be a new landscaped public space, which will replace the existing traffic island and create a safer pedestrian environment.
The project will ensure traffic can still travel through the town centre in the future, in line with people’s feedback from previous consultation.
Additional upgrades will include five new zebra crossings and ensure loading spaces are closer to businesses, supporting local trade.
The first phase of night-time works ends this Friday (9 May) and the project will then move into its second phase, with works being carried out Monday to Friday between the hours of 7am and 4pm for 20 weeks.
Temporary traffic plans will be in place for the duration of these works to minimise disruption. There will be temporary three-way traffic signals. Vehicles will not be able to access Birmingham Road from Oldbury Road, however, the Acorns car park and the on-street parking in Oldbury Road will be maintained at all times.
The on-street parking in Halesowen Street and High Street will not be affected during the works. However, people are encouraged to use public car parks which will remain open during the construction works and to avoid driving through the middle of Blackheath town centre wherever possible.
McPhillips, the main contractor for the project, is overseeing the works with regular updates shared with businesses and traders to keep the community informed throughout.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said: “This project aims to encourage more people to visit Blackheath town centre and will support shoppers, businesses and traders. We are creating an inviting public space and making it easier to access public transport links as well as improving safety and reducing congestion.
“Businesses including Blackheath Market will be open as normal throughout the works. Together with our contractor, we will continue to work closely with businesses, traders and residents in the town centre to keep disruption to a minimum while we carry out these improvements.”
The new interchange and road layout will mean buses and other vehicles will no longer have to compete for the same road space in parts of the town centre, so improving traffic flows. Also, buses will be able to dock properly at stops, offering safe, level access for people with mobility issues or with pushchairs.
Visit our Regenerating Sandwell website for more information about the project.
Visit our roadworks webpage and road closures webpage for more information.