Final phase of work on J10 is completed after four years

TEMPORARY traffic management has been lifted from junction 10 of the M6, Walsall Council has confirmed.

It comes as the final phase of the planned upgrading work was completed last Wednesday after four years.

Drivers can now use all the lanes on the motorway as well as the connecting roads through the junction.

But some motorists appeared less than impressed, dubbing the area “confusing” and claiming it has got worse since the work has been carried out.

One social media user wrote: “I don’t think personally that junction 10 has improved at all if anything it’s worse.” Another said: “This is the most confusing roundabout ever, not sure it was money well spent.”

Walsall Council thanked road users for their “patience and cooperation” throughout the work which began in 2020 and should have been completed last year.

A spokesperson said: “Walsall Council has responsibility for operating the traffic lights through the junction.

“Minor adjustments, for example to traffic light timings, might need to be made to ensure traffic is running as smoothly as possible.

“National Highways will also be reviewing the junction’s performance and taking remedial action where necessary.

“We’ll also return for snagging and landscaping work around the junction.

“While most of these activities will be away from the road, we may occasionally need to close lanes to keep our workforce and drivers safe.

“We’ll reduce disruption by working during off-peak times or overnight.”

Meanwhile, new overnight M6 closures between junctions 8 and 10 will start next month, with one motorist branding the plans “an absolute joke”.

Stretches of the busy motorway will be shut between Great Barr and Walsall due to work on the Bescot viaduct.

Work will affect both the northbound and southbound carriageways from April 8 until November 16.

Traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place at various points from Monday to Friday between 8pm and 6am.

West Midlands Roads posted the full schedule online.

The Birmingham Post received a reply from a disgruntled motorist, who branded it an “absolute joke for those of us trying to get home at 10pm”.

Work on the southbound carriageway will be carried out in five phases, between April 8 and July 18.

The northbound carriageway work will be carried out in six phases and is scheduled between July 18 and November 16.