CAMPAIGNERS have celebrated now that work has been completed on two pedestrian and cycle crossing points on one of the busiest roads in the borough.

The crossings on the A4123 Birmingham New Road in Dudley are the first phase of a multi-million pound investment on the corridor to improve safety to get people walking and cycling more often for local journeys.

The crossings have been put in near the entrance to Dudley Canal and Caverns Trust and by the A4123 junction with Woodcroft Avenue.

Funding has come from the government’s Department for Transport Active Travel Fund. It has also supported the construction of the first phase of new cycle lanes installed on the A4123, from the junction with Tipton Road to the Castle Road junction.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: “Residents have been campaigning for improved crossing facilities for some time and I’m delighted we have been able to secure funding and introduce these important safety improvements.

“These new pedestrian and cycle crossings are the first phase in a host of travel and safety improvements planned for the whole A4123 corridor.

“It is all geared towards encouraging more sustainable modes of travel including walking and cycling.”

L-r - Cllr Karl Denning, residents Terry Ledbury and Gordon Laird, and Cllr Keiran Casey in Birmingham New Road, DudleyL-r - Cllr Karl Denning, residents Terry Ledbury and Gordon Laird, and Cllr Keiran Casey in Birmingham New Road, Dudley (Image: Cllr Keiran Casey)

Labour councillor Keiran Casey told how he and Councillor Karl Denning, along with residents Gordon Laird and Terry Ledbury, have long campaigned for safety improvements on the busy stretch of road.

Cllr Casey said: “It’s fantastic that this work has now been completed and residents are able to start using this new crossing.

“I know how concerned residents have been about road safety, and whilst the average speed cameras that we also secured on this stretch have slowed traffic down, there was still no crossing point.

“I have no doubt this will make a big difference with safety when crossing the road.”

Resident Terry Ledbury praised councillors Casey and Denning for lobbying the council for safety measures on the road and said: “I think this just goes to show what we can achieve when we all work together to make our community and even better and safer place to live.”