As part of our role in supporting the Sandwell business community we want to let you know about a major scheme to upgrade the electricity network in the Oldbury-Tividale area. There will be traffic management measures being put in place from Thursday 15 July to Friday 3 September, which may cause delays or disruption.

The scheme, to be carried out by Excalon on behalf of Western Power Distribution, will replace ageing oil-filled 132kV electric cables that are coming to the end of their intended operational use. The new circuits will provide greater security of supply to local businesses and residents, reduce the risk of future electricity failures and improve the resilience of the network.

From Thursday 15 July, 24-hour temporary traffic signals at junctions and lane closures will be in place on the A4123 Wolverhampton Road/New Birmingham Road. These will be rolling lane closures that will continue from the junction of Portway Road to Tividale, where the new cable will cross Tividale Park and continue via Dudley Road West to Groveland Road. 

The work will be carried out under temporary traffic signals between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, and between 8am and 1pm on Saturdays. Traffic management measures will remain in place overnight and on Sundays for safety reasons and to ensure the work is completed within the programmed time.

To protect the workforce, a temporary 20mph speed limit will be in place on the A4123 where lane closures are in effect.

Between Wednesday 28 July and Monday 23 August Portway Road will be closed westbound between Churchbridge (A4034) and Wolverhampton Road for all traffic. There will be no access to Portway Road off Churchbridge for the duration of the works.

There will be diversion signs for customers wishing to access Sandwell Council recycling centre on Shidas Lane.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson said: “These essential works will improve and protect the electricity supply for residents and businesses in the Oldbury-Tividale area and further afield, and assist Sandwell in becoming a strong, thriving and resilient community. But we acknowledge that the scale of traffic management measures over the duration may cause some delays or disruption for road users, and we ask that you bear with us during the works while Excalon delivers this major scheme.

“We would advise those who might be affected by these works to use the signed diversions, travel outside peak times where possible, and to allow extra time for your journeys. And there may be other modes of transport you could use, such as cycling, to help you to get to your destination.”

We’ll keep you posted with any further information and updates, or you can visit https://www.sandwell.gov.uk/news.