A457 Tollhouse Way Phase 4

In 2024, Fitzgerald successfully completed a £1m scheme for Sandwell MBC to deliver further cycleway enhancements on the A457 Tollhouse Way. Phase 4 of the Tollhouse Way works saw the installation of a 1km cycle lane and associated traffic signal upgrades from Rolfe Street Station to the Soho Way Junction. The 24-week project was awarded through Fitzgerald’s place on Lot 3 of the Black Country Framework for Minor Works and followed on from our successful delivery of the A457 Tollhouse Way Phase 2 cycleway works between 2022 and 2023.

The works, which were carried out in a live traffic environment, included construction of a new cycle lane within grass verges, drainage and surfacing works (carriageway and footway), new lining, signage and landscaping, removal and replenishment of trees and a full upgrade of the Tollhouse Way / Soho Way / Crockett’s Lane signalised junction, including a new staggered pedestrian crossing.

Key challenges included:

Maintaining access to adjacent properties: Ensuring that businesses and residents could continue to access their properties was a priority. Careful planning and coordination were required to balance access needs with ongoing construction activities.

Traffic and pedestrian management: Detailed management plans, including the use of a full road closure on Baldwin Street to complete the works safely and efficiently, kept traffic flowing and pedestrians safe.

Shallow existing services: The proposed footway and cycleway construction was complicated by the presence of shallow existing utility services, including gas, BT, and streetlighting infrastructure. This required close liaison with utility providers and precise construction methods to avoid service disruption.

Limited storage space: The restricted availability of on-site storage for materials demanded efficient logistics and delivery scheduling. This ensured the project remained on track whilst minimising disruption to stakeholders and users of the transport network and ensuring safety.

We maintained our positive working relationship with SMBC following on from the completion of the Tollhouse Way Phase 2 cycleway scheme. We are also due to commence the Burnt Tree junction cycleway scheme for Sandwell in 2025. During the Tollhouse Way scheme, we were also approached by Sandwell Council’s social value team to carry out renovation works to Brasshouse Community Centre car park. Our team, led by Steve Jones, partnered with Brasshouse Community Centre to restore their car park, addressing long-standing issues with potholes and lack of designated parking.

Jennifer Harrison, Centre Manager, expressed her gratitude:

“A big thank you to Fitzgerald Civil Engineering and Sandwell’s Social Value Team. The new car park will maximise our space and ease parking for all our visitors.”

We have now delivered the initial two phases of highway and cycleway improvements on the A457, working collaboratively with Sandwell MBC and their designers to provide new infrastructure that is promoting and enabling healthier and more sustainable modes of travel.