The full costs of a major transport scheme on the Walsall Staffordshire border have been revealed, with the total bill reaching £7,375,358. The York’s Bridge project saw the historic single track canal bridge redeveloped to allow two-way traffic on Norton Road, a key route out of Pelsall that often became a bottleneck at peak times and had poor visibility.
Project Completion and Costs Breakdown
The new bridge was completed and the road reopened to the public on April 2, 2026, after being due for completion in November 2025. The project faced few delays, including the relocation of legally protected great crested newts. Of the total cost, just over £5 million was spent on construction, £1.5 million on design and consultancy fees, £326,000 on supervision, and £133,000 on traffic signals and junction improvements.
Funding Sources
Council funding covered £2.9 million of the total costs, with the remainder paid for using external capital grant funding. A spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “Of the scheme’s total cost of £7.37m, £4.4m was secured through external transport capital grant funding, with the remainder funded by the council.”
Purpose and Benefits
The scheme was described as a ‘marmite project’ by the former portfolio holder for regeneration, Councillor Adrian Andrew. The council spokesperson added: “The scheme was delivered to replace the existing mid-1800s bridge, which was no longer suitable for modern transport demands. The new bridge represents a major infrastructure investment for Pelsall and will help preserve the historic York’s Bridge by removing heavy traffic from the original structure, improving access and connectivity for years to come.”
Environmental Measures
Throughout the project, careful environmental protection measures were carried out for local wildlife, including the relocation of protected great crested newts by a trained detection team. With the bridge now fully open, the council looks forward to the long-term benefits it will bring to local communities and everyone who relies on this key route.
