Bus and cycle lane upgrades to improve city links

Plans to improve transport links between the Black Country and Birmingham will include upgrades to bus and cycle lanes by Sandwell Council.

A "cross-city" bus route would build on existing services between Dudley and Druid's Heath, going via Smethwick, Cape Hill and Bearwood.

The project would be funded by money given to the West Midlands Combined Authority by the Department for Transport in 2020 as part of a "better deal for bus users".

Transport for West Midlands said the work would improve journey times and reliability as well as reduce delays and congestion for bus passengers.

Sandwell Council has set out plans to upgrade three areas, benefiting buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

The council proposals will see traffic signals changed on the Burnt Tree border between Sandwell and Dudley to benefit buses, cyclists and pedestrians, in a move that would link cycle lanes connecting Dudley to Brierley Hill, and Wolverhampton to Birmingham via Sandwell and the Black Country along the A461 and A4123.

A new bus and cycle lane would be installed in Dudley Road at the approach with the Oldbury Ringway junction, the council said. This would allow buses to skip queuing traffic.

Further upgrades to the Cape Hill, Waterloo Road and High Street junction in Smethwick are still to be finalised.

A report submitted to a meeting of Sandwell Council's cabinet on 9 April, said work at Burnt Tree in Dudley and in Oldbury town centre could start later this year.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.