Early contractor involvement has helped bring project costs down from £30m to £26mfor the project that will improvelinks between Darlaston and the A454 and M6.
Walsall Council has submitted a funding bid to the Department of Transport for the scheme and is hoping for the go-ahead by Christmas.
“There is no guarantee we’ll secure funding but we’re confident our case is as strong as we can make it,” said Councillor Tom Ansell, Walsall Council cabinet member for transport. “What’s very pleasing is we’ve had the backing of business in the area, who have agreed to put £1 million towards the scheme in a mix of land and cash contributions, mainly through the use of parcels of land for the road improvements.”
A design review workshop involving Birse Civils identified modifications to the scheme, including vertical alignment departure from standards, revised retaining walls extents and heights, and modified facing treatment to retaining walls.
Using a kingpost type retaining wall system, for example, obviated the need for costly bulk excavation.
The council hopes to start construction in spring 2013, with completion two years later.
The scheme involves upgrades to Bentley Road South, Bentley Mill Way, the junction of A4038 Darlaston Road and A4148 Bescot Road and Wallows Lane.
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