Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
Traffic news on your desktop
Helpful ways to access the latest traffic information when you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Why are we now building traffic signals and not a roundabout?
The traffic signals are effective at improving the safety of the junction and can be implemented relatively quickly and cheaply without affecting homes or businesses that are located at these junctions, they also allow us to build in pedestrian facilities.
The previous project included gap closures. Will the gaps be affected by this new project?
There are no proposals to close any of the gaps in the central reservation in the foreseeable future. The only gaps affected being those where the traffic signals are proposed where movements will obviously be controlled.
Background History
In 1992, Staffordshire County Council produced a preliminary report that was an economic assessment of the case for closing gaps in the central reservation on the A449 between Coven and Gailey to the north of Wolverhampton. The report recommended that it was viable to proceed with a scheme for closure of 15 gaps and a roundabout at Station Road, Four Ashes.
The Department of Transport engaged Staffordshire County Council to investigate and report on alternative scheme options. This assessment aimed to validate the need for the scheme, identify and assess all feasible solutions and recommend the best scheme to be taken forward.
Following detailed assessment of the safety problem at the existing gaps and junctions, the construction of a roundabout at Four Ashes was considered as having potential to improve the layout and accident record. This was to include the closure of all gaps and junctions between Coven and Gailey roundabouts.
Public consultation was held in July 1998 and the Secretary of State confirmed his preferred option in July 1999, which was a modified version of the scheme taken to public consultation.
Draft orders were published on 23 November 2000. The design commission passed from Staffordshire County Council to WS Atkins Transportation Engineering in 1998 following completion of the Public Consultation Report.
A public inquiry was held at South Staffordshire District Council offices in Codsall, Staffordshire on 26 to 28 June 2001 to consider the 125 written objections and 1600 signature petition against the scheme.
The Secretary of State in his enquiry statement dated 25 March 2002 decided: "The Secretary of State has therefore decided, in these circumstances, that the most appropriate action is for the Agency to look again at the scheme at large and to reappraise their proposals in the light of the concerns raised in this letter."
Progression to current scheme
In light of the Secretary of States decision, the Highways Agency were concerned at the continuing high number of accidents at the junctions with Station Drive and School Road. Consequently it instructed AmeyMouchel to design improvements that would deliver an early reduction in the number of accidents.
