A new road junction between Lichfield and Burntwood is set to open today – three weeks ahead of schedule.
The notorious bottleneck crossroads at Pipehill have been replaced by a roundabout as part of a £1.8million improvement project by Staffordshire County Council.
The junction between the A5190 Lichfield Road and the A461 Walsall Road was earmarked as a priority area after 18 injuries were caused by accidents in the last five years.
The project has seen the busy Lichfield Road realigned to meet the Walsall Road 350 metres further north at the new roundabout.
Chairman of Staffordshire County Council and local County Councillor Erica Bayliss said:
“The highways team has worked extremely hard to complete this major upgrade three weeks ahead of schedule. Residents and visitors to the area will be reaping the safety benefits from this investment for many years to come.
“It will also have a hugely positive impact on the emergency services – and the taxpayers who fund them – as the improvements will help to reduce accidents.”
A temporary speed limit of 30mph will be in force for a short while after the road has been opened so that final touches to the new junction can be completed. However, when this work is completed, a 50mph limit will be in place for the full length of the Lichfield Road from Burntwood to the junction.
Local County Councillor Terry Finn added:
“I am delighted that this major junction is once again open to traffic. The team has put a tremendous amount of work into this very complex project and that effort has paid off.
“The improvements will not only boost safety, they will also save time and money at the petrol pump which has got to be a winning formula.”
