Councillors in Wolverhampton have given the green light to a major overhaul of one of the city's most congested junctions, acknowledging that residents face a 'long period of disruption' for long-term gain.
The Approved Plan: A New Look for a Busy Corridor
City of Wolverhampton Council's planning committee approved the crucial project for the Willenhall Road and Neachells Lane junction on Tuesday, November 11. The scheme forms the latest phase of a wider initiative to improve the busy A454 corridor, which connects Wolverhampton city centre to Willenhall, Darlaston, Wednesbury, and Bilston.
The ambitious plan includes a new northbound slip road onto Neachells Lane from Willenhall Road and a new link road between the existing petrol station and the Travis Perkins depot. It will also feature new cycleways and footpaths, alongside public realm improvements with more trees and upgraded surfaces.
Disruption and Compulsory Purchases Ahead
Council officers were frank about the impact of the construction, which is not scheduled to begin until 2031 at the earliest and will take around two years to complete. Phillip Walker, the council’s senior planning officer, warned of a fairly long period of disruption with inevitable traffic problems.
The council's transport officer, Tim Philpot, summarised the situation by stating, "There will be some pain, for hopefully, plenty of gain." Planning chair Councillor Paul Sweet defended the project as "bold" and necessary, rather than an easy option.
To facilitate the work, the council will need to acquire land, potentially using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). This includes land from the site of the former Neachells pub, demolished a decade ago, and land next to a home on Rose Gardens. Two homes on Neachells Lane will be demolished to make way for the new link road, with additional land required from the Travis Perkins depot, petrol station, and rear gardens of homes on Willenhall Road.
A Long-Term Solution for a Notorious Pinch Point
The council identifies the junction as a longstanding pinch point suffering from severe congestion, extensive queuing, and widely varying journey times, particularly during peak hours. The improvement is deemed of strategic importance to the entire area's regeneration.
Councillor Alan Butt, vice chair of the planning committee, echoed the frustrations of many residents, noting the "sheer volume of traffic, especially rush hour, but not always rush hour, it’s a continuous flow."
This approval follows earlier phases of the corridor work, which include making Walsall Street and Horseley Fields one-way. Those works are expected to commence in mid-2027. The overall scheme aims to tackle long-standing issues of congestion, poor air quality, noise pollution, and inadequate active travel routes, future-proofing the junction for the increased traffic, including lorries from a recently approved £45m warehouse development nearby.
