Fears were being expressed today that work currently going on between J10 and J10a was set to drag on well into the new year in-spite of claims to the contrary by “The Highways Agency” (a government quango) reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

Just a few weeks ago residents and councillors in the area had been told that sections of environmental fencing, designed to protect residents living near the motorway from from the effects of noise and light pollution, would only be removed when work in that area was imminent and would be replaced as soon as possible.

Residents in Wood Lane, Short Heath were given the assurance that the fence would be back in place before Christmas. They are now being told that a temporary “Garden Fence” might be put up, but the replacement environmental fence would not be erected till probably February 2010.

“I can’t believe the arrogance of the Highways Agency” said Ian today. “Sections of fencing have been removed weeks in advance of any work taking place. Even where work is going on contractors are giving little thought to residents nearby” claimed Ian.

“There is a whole stretch of fencing between Wood Lane and the Lichfield Road which has been down for weeks now which is affecting hundreds of properties on the Poets Estate to intolerable levels of pollution” continued Ian.

“We are being told that the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency is planning to visit the area shortly. If this is so then he needs to see for himself the full extent of the hardship his organisation is causing to local residents. Councillors representing Short Heath and New Invention are also demanding he meets with them when he visits Walsall.” concluded Ian.