Motorists face gridlock in Hamstead and Great Barr on Friday night due to ‘major congestion’

Although work was planned on the Severn Trent, with temporary traffic lights installed on Old Walsall Road, the knock-on effects on a Friday afternoon caused gridlock.

The West Midlands Combined Authority’s Road Information Service warned of minor disruption this morning but upgraded the warning to ‘major’ at 4pm.

There are queues on Hamstead Road, Rocky Lane, Grove Lane and Scott Arms as drivers try to navigate the notorious traffic black spot.

WMCA Roads tweeted: “Expect congestion and delays on Old Walsall Road due to Severn Trent water. Temporary traffic signals are in effect. Scheduled until May 13. Allow extra time to travel or consider other routes.”

However, at 4pm they raised the status to Major Disruption, tweeting: “Congestion and delays are increasing in the area. Consider alternative routes and allow extra time for your journey.