A FUNDING bid is being made to the new West Midlands Combined Authority towards the multi-million pound congestion-busting plan for Oldbury’s busy Birchley Island.

Sandwell Council’s £26.8 million proposal for the island at junction 2 of the M5 motorway aims to cut queues and improve traffic flow.

The project will see a ‘through roundabout’ or ‘hamburger’ junction created – meaning the Wolverhampton Road will pass through the current island in both directions next to the electricity sub-station.

There will also be four lanes from the M5 junction 2 to and from Birchley Island and traffic lights between Churchbridge and the island from the direction of Oldbury.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Steve Eling said: "This will be a significant investment into the infrastructure in Sandwell and we hope the application for funds will be put forward to the West Midlands Combined Authority and approved.”