4,800 new jobs for £17 million Telford road overhaul

Six sites are earmarked for work under the scheme, which is expected to open up land allowing the creation of 2,849 homes and 4,844 jobs.

The project is being funded with £13.9 million from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, but the remainder of the £17.4 million project is being funded by developers hoping to build around the roundabouts.

A number of the projects include plans to add extra exits from the roundabouts, which will ultimately open up nearby land for development. The whole package of projects is due to be completed in March 2017.

Limekiln Roundabout will be the first to see work begin next month, and will be widened with new exits added, along with a pedestrian crossing on Telford Way and better street lighting.

In April, work will start at Trench Lock Roundabout, with an extra lane being added coming from Hadley Park Roundabout. Clock Tower Roundabout at Donnington will be next, in June, with a widening of the roundabout and a new entry and exit.

Dates have not yet been set for the other three sites – Shawbirch Roundabout, Ketley Brook and Randlay Interchange.

Shawbirch will be widened and given new entries and exits. Footways, cycle paths and street lighting will be upgraded.

Ketley Brook will be fitted with demand-responsive traffic lights, extra lanes and widening. Part-time traffic lights will be installed on the A442 slip roads at Randlay, with the aim of relieving congestion.

Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin cabinet member for transport, said: "I'm delighted the council has been able to secure this funding to help ensure our road network can cope with traffic now and over the next 20 years.

"These improvements makes excellent use of the funding and puts us ahead of the game."