ROADWORKS which are expected to be in place for around SIX MONTHS will start in Halesowen this week.

The roadworks will be on Manor Way from tomorrow (Thursday June 24) while work takes place at Sandvik and are expected to cause "chaos" for motorists.

The Swedish engineering firm is building a new smaller HQ before it demolishes its existing home.

The first phase of work, which has already started, is to divert existing utilities.

From July 5 to July 16 work will begin to create entrances for vehicles to the site - this will involve the closure of one lane of the busy dual carriageway.

For one week the dual carriageway on the Sandvik side of the road will be completely closed. When this week will be is not yet known.

Halesowen councillor David Vickers said he hoped the work would be finished sooner than the expected 26 weeks.

He said: "I'm hoping it will be shorter as it will be chaos."

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, Dudley Council's cabinet member for public realm, said: “Signs along Manor Way are advising drivers that work will be taking place within that area for the next 26 weeks.

“We know this is a busy stretch of road and I would like to assure residents that traffic management will only be used when needed by the developers during this time.

“These are not council roadworks, but to facilitate work being carried out to private development.

“Initial traffic management includes a one lane closure from July 5 to 16.”

Part of the site will be sold for homes. A planning application has not yet been approved for this part of the scheme.

The Swedish engineering company has been based on Manor Way since 1958 but with around 125 employees and no longer with any manufacturing or warehouse requirement bosses say the sprawling site is too large for its current operation.

After failing to find an alternative home in the borough bosses came up with proposals to sell off part of the existing site to a developer for homes - while constructing a new smaller UK head office on the remainder.