Improvements to ‘key gateway’ set for green light

Two homes could be demolished to make way for an upgraded major traffic route into Wolverhampton, under plans recommended for approval next week.

City of Wolverhampton Council says phase three of its City East Gateway scheme, a plan to beef up the A454 connecting the city centre with junction 10 of the M6 motorway, will provide “strategic transport benefits” – including improved traffic flow, and upgraded pedestrian and cycle routes.

The road is a notorious pinch-point for vehicles travelling into the city, carrying up to 20,000 vehicles per day, and providing access to over 34,000 homes and 7,500 businesses along the route.

Phases one and two of the scheme, which involve converting a section of Walsall Street for one-way traffic, are due to be completed by 2028.

The third phase of the proposals, due to be discussed by city planners on 11 November, could see a gyratory system built at the crossroad with Neachells Lane, which the authority hopes will “eliminate key traffic conflicts” and improve capacity at the junction.

However the plan will require key elements of the development to be built on land outside the local authority’s control, with two residential properties and parts of two commercial units potentially subject to compulsory purchase in order to deliver the scheme.

“Acquisition of third-party land will be necessary to enable full implementation [of the scheme],” said a report due to go before the city council’s planning committee next week.

“The proposed link road will require the demolition of two residential properties on Neachells Lane. It also involves partial land acquisition from the Travis Perkins depot, the petrol filling station, and the rear gardens of 575 to 589 Willenhall Road.”

The council says demolition is necessary to complete the improvements, but acknowledged a “direct and significant impact” on the affected households, recommending a planning condition that all reasonable efforts should be made to acquire the land by agreement, rather than using compulsory purchase powers.

A formal objection has been lodged to the scheme by petrol company Shell, who said the council’s proposals would “deter motorists” and “adversely affect the trading potential” of a petrol station on the junction.

However, in their report, the council’s planning officer said the objection was not sufficient to warrant refusal, and the scheme has been recommended for approval.

Plans and documents relating to the application can be found on the council’s planning portal under reference: 23/00295/FUL