The road that got the Black Country back to work

In an era long before the M6 and M42 traversed the region, this road and the economic benefits it would bring were a national talking point.

It was one of the first major roads built to meet the needs of the motor car, aimed at relieving congestion on the A41 through town centres like West Bromwich and Bilston.

Known as the Birmingham New Road at one end and Wolverhampton Road at the other – or more prosaically, the A4123 – the route ran from the centre of Wolverhampton to the western edge of Birmingham.

The government had pledged in the Commons, external to fund half of the £573,000 it would cost (worth about £30m in 2024) with local authorities along the route making up the rest.

A contract was placed with construction firm McAlpine for the work with a commitment to employ workers from Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Tipton, Coseley and Dudley.

However, there is evidence that this commitment was not honoured in full, prompting anger in the area.

Local historian Chris Cooper, who has looked into, external the route’s roots, said: “In view of the large number of unemployed, it was decided that a maximum of eight weeks would be allowed for each individual work contract.

“There is a long list of complaints to local councils along the route that this was not being adhered to and that McAlpine was bringing in workers from as far away as Scotland.”