A COUNCILLOR has welcomed news that a Cradley road is on track to open fully after months of closure following a crash that damaged a building.

Councillor Ethan Stafford said he expects to see Highfield Road reopened to two-way traffic very soon.

Installation of temporary propping to support the damaged property on the corner of Highfield Road/Windmill Hill began on Wednesday with contractors working at speed to stabilize the structure, the Liberal Democrat councillor told the News.

He added that he expects the road to reopen to two-way traffic following the removal of concrete blocks and signage, which is set to start this coming week.

Cllr Stafford said: “This has been an incredibly complex bit of work for all parties. I was thrown in at the deep end with this one, with multiple meetings and calls near enough every week since I was elected in May.

“I’m pleased the end is in sight.”

He said he was “grateful to residents and the local residents group The Friends of Colley Gate” who have waited patiently while councillors have liaised with organisations to get the work completed.

He also thanked the property owner “who we have worked closely with throughout this ordeal and has always had the impact on local residents at the front of their mind”.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for highways and environment, said: “Following the road accident, we acted to temporarily support the building, taking up some of the highway and resulting in a one-way restriction being brought into place.

“The private owner of the building has organised the necessary permanent structural repairs and these works are now well progressed.”

He added that he was “hopeful that the concrete blocks” can be removed this coming week, beginning October 7, “so that two-way flow can be reenabled”.

It’s understood the pathway by the damaged building will remain closed to enable contractors to access the gable wall – and that temporary hoarding will be installed around this section to ensure the safety of pedestrians.