MAJOR highway works are to be carried out at the cross roads junction of the A449 and the B4176 (Himley Road /Wolverhampton Road) from Monday (August 19).

Staffordshire County Council will be carrying out the works, at a cost of £860,000 which will involve the complete re-construction of the junction.

Expensive, high quality, longer lasting materials are to be used on the resurfacing which should reduce the need for future works.

The entire junction will be reconstructed as part of the five-week project, with relaying of road surfaces and new traffic light detection sensors to ultimately improve the driving experience for all road users. The work will also include the cutting back of trees and shrubs, repairs to verges and damaged street furniture and the refreshing of road markings.

Initial work will involve day time lane closures and all subsequent work will involve night time closures with some work during the day but without any road closures.

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for highways and environmental services at Dudley Council, said: “While this work is being undertaken by Staffordshire County Council we appreciate that this will impact many of our residents who use this busy stretch of road.

"Our officers are working with Staffordshire Council officers to minimise any disruption, prioritising nighttime road closures.

“There will be some disruption and delays but the work is essential to maintain this busy junction and should help to reduce the need for future works.”

The programme is as follows:

August 19 to 22 day time lane closures on A449 only. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction. This may result in some congestion in Kingswinford on the A491.

On August 23, 28 and 29 there will be nighttime closures on Bridgnorth Road towards Wombourne.

On August 27 and 30 there will be a nighttime closure of Dudley Road / Himley Road towards  Gornal and Dudley.

On September 4, 5, 6, 13 and 17 there will be nighttime closures on Bridgnorth Road towards Wombourne.

From September 9 to 12, and again on September 16, there will be a nighttime closure of Dudley Road / Himley Road towards Gornal and Dudley.

The dates may change due to any unforeseen circumstances.

During the closures there will be diversions in place using Stallings Lane, Cinder Road, Himley Road, High Arcal Road, The Straits, Sandyfields Road, Cotwall End Road, Gospel End Road and Wodehouse Lane and Vice Versa. The weight restriction on the roads will be temporarily suspended.

Staffordshire County Council has urged motorists to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys or use alternative routes.

Announcing the works, the council said: "We apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may create, however these measures are essential for us to make such improvements, and we kindly ask for your patience during this time."

Victoria Wilson, county councillor representing Himley, said: “This work is essential for the safety of road users. The road surface and structure have come to the end of their life span and so the work is really timely, to minimise skid risk.

“The Asset Management Team has planned the work meticulously. Although we expect minimal disruption, we ask drivers to be patient while the work is completed, and allow extra time for their journeys.”

The works will be taking place until September 22.

Anyone with concerns about how the work is being carried out can contact Staffordshire County Council via www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportit (messages should be marked for the attention of scheme engineer W Painter and quote CX029 A449 Wolverhampton Road).