Residents living near to the M6 in New Invention and Short Heath will have received the latest letter from Carillion, the Highways Agency’s contractor for the construction works in conjunction with the “Traffic Management” Project reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

The letter highlights the schedule of works planned in the area during November. It points out that a 50mph speed limit continues to be in force on the M6 in both directions due to narrow lanes being in operation in order to protect the workforce and the travelling public during the construction works.

Lib Dem Focus Team councillors in Willenhall North and Short Heath wards are demanding futher discussions with the Highways Agency through Walsall council in order to get further details on some specific issues. “Nowhere else has this kind of construction taken place so close to residential property” said Liberal Democrat group Leader councillor Ian Shires. “The Highways Agency has , because of local pressure, vastly improved its communication processes, however the needs of residents are taking second place to the needs of the Highways Agency” said Ian.

“ Monitoring, which is taking place in the area, shows that they are pushing things to the limits of what is acceptable” continued Ian “it is this issue that we particularly want to discuss. The needs of people living in the area should come first” he concluded.

The construction works through the Willenhall area has been split into 3 areas

Area 1 Sneyd Lane, Lynwood Close and Crab Lane/Sneyd Lane – Northbound

• Completion of screwpiling to gantry bases
• Fixing of base steelwork/grillages to screw piles
• Completion of bored piling to gantry bases
• Commencement of concrete works to bored pile gantry bases
• Completion of sheetpiling to emergency refuge area and commencement ofconcrete works to top of sheetpiles
• Preparation of launch and reception pits and cross carriageway ducting
• Commencement of ducting & chamber construction within verges
• Commencement of CCTV bases within verges including local alteration of environmental fence alignment and associated works
• Commencement of Sneyd Farm pier strengthening and underbridge concrete works
• Commencement of steps to access power cabinets

Area 2 Broadmeadows Road, Southy Close and Tennyson Road – Northbound

• Commencement of screwpiling to gantry bases
• Fixing of base steelwork/grillages to screwpiles
• Ongoing sheetpiling to emergency refuge area and commencement of concrete works to top of sheet piles
• Preparation of launch and reception pits and cross carriageway ducting
• Verge eathworks following removal of existing environmental fence
• Commencement of drainage chambers and outfall connections

Area 3 Woodside Road, Colerage Close, Wood Lane, Oregaon Drive and Tennyson Road – Northbound

• Fixing of base steelwork/grillages to screw piles
• Preparation of launch and reception pits and cross carriageway ducting
• Commencement of sheetpiling to emergency refuge area
• Verge earthworks following removal of existing environmental fence
• Commencement of drainage chambers and outfall connections