A scheme to improve safety and reduce congestion at the A449/M54 Junction 2 roundabout near Wolverhampton is nearing completion.

The traffic lights will be commissioned on Sunday 25th July.

The roundabout had been identified by the Highways Agency as a top priority for improvements due to the high number of incidents at the junction.

Over a five-year period there were 51 accidents in which 78 people were injured.

The improvements include new traffic lights, pedestrian/cycle crossings, lane markings around the island, extra lanes added to the motorway slip roads and to the A449 out of Wolverhampton to increase capacity.

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This scheme will reduce the number of incidents at this junction and will help to tackle congestion at peak periods due to the increased capacity.

The new traffic lights use the latest technology to automatically adjust their timings to optimise traffic flows. This is achieved by capturing data from sensors in the road to vary the signal timings based on traffic conditions.

Highways Agency Project Sponsor Jon McCarthy said: "The number of injury incidents recorded at this roundabout over the last five years is higher than would normally be expected at this type of junction.

"Prior to these works taking place, this roundabout was identified as one of the priority areas that required safety improvements.

"We want to thank the road users who have safely observed the speed limits and traffic management at this island whilst we made these safety improvements as well as the local residents who have been patient while this vital work has been carried out.

"Once the traffic lights are up and running work will continue to ensure that they operate efficiently. We are also working with Wolverhampton City Council to link them to the traffic lights at the Broadlands junction on the A449."

(BMcC/KMcA)