MAJOR works to improve safety along a notorious Bromsgrove dual carriageway will begin in weeks following years of controversy and debate.
A 16-week scheme by the town's Highways Partnership Unit, to slash the number of accidents on the A491, is due to start in mid-November.
Traffic chiefs have awarded the £480,000 contract to Telford-based Wrekin Construction after considering six tenders. Contractors will install two sets of traffic lights at the Belbroughton junction, reduce the approach to one carriageway and the speed limit will drop to 50mph.
Crossing points at Clent will be blocked off. And a 40mph speed restriction will be in operation along the entire road while the work is carried out.
Partnership manager Jon Fraser believes this is the biggest safety scheme undertaken by his department for at least five years.
Improvements
"The work is long-awaited and I'm keen to stress the impact it has will be monitored, and further improvements could take place in the future," he said.
The stretch of road between Fairfield and Hagley has been the scene of seven deaths and nearly 100 accidents since 1996 - a majority of which involved crossover manoeuvres.
Original proposals included closing off the central reservation gaps and banning right turns. But residents from surrounding villages raised objections and formed the A491- What Price Lives? action committee.
Campaigners had called for roundabouts near Clent and Belbroughton. But this scheme was deemed too expensive .
After a public inquiry in May 2001, a Government inspector said the authority should not consider closing crossover points until at least one set of traffic lights was in place.
Belbroughton parish councillor Una Read was pleased work would 'finally' be going ahead.
"The safety of the A491 has been a concern for more than ten years," she added.
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