Motorists face year-long disruption through Rowley Regis with roadworks revealed
Drivers face traffic misery on a main road through a Black Country town – with roadworks to last for a year.
Temporary traffic lights will go up on Doulton Road, in Rowley Regis, during the first week of the new year as work is carried out to connect 200 new homes to gas, water and electricity supplies.
The work, being carried out by utility companies, will get under way on January 3 and will also cause disruption for people already living on the road.
The connections will supply 216 new homes being built on four new housing developments.
Developers Kier Homes, Countryside and Smart Build Solutions are building homes on Doulton Road and there is another small development of two homes being built on Dudley Road.
Motorists have been told there will be delays on the route and that it might be best for them to avoid the road altogether while the work is ongoing.
Sandwell Council's roads boss Councillor David Hosell said: "These are essential works to connect these new homes to water, sewers, gas and electricity supplies.
"We really need new homes built in Sandwell but with that comes the job of connecting these sites up to utilities.
"This will cause some inconvenience in the area and I'd ask people to be patient. It's something that is unavoidable.
"I am sure the utility companies and their contractors will make sure this work as swiftly as they can, but it's a big job."
The housing development is being built on land previously occupied by a logistics company, vacant land belonging to Springfield Primary School and a small piece of land that belonged to the council.
The biggest development is of 188 homes on the former haulage Norbert Dentressangle site off Doulton Road.
Sandwell Council granted permission for the demolition of existing buildings once used by the French logistics firm, and for the construction of a mix of properties over 12.8 acres of land.
The derelict site has been the target for anti-social behaviour, and previously described as a 'grot spot' by ward councillor Susan Eaves.
Welcoming the application when it was submitted, Councillor Eaves said: "It's good news for the area, as that's been a grot spot for a while now. It does need something doing there. I think it's well needed."
