DRIVERS and residents in Dudley town centre have been warned to expect disruption when work to the Midland Metro begins later this month.

A two-way lane restriction will be in place along Castle Hill from Monday, February 24, when enabling works to bring the Metro to Dudley gets underway.

The phased work will take up to five weeks to remove the central reservation and is taking place so that traffic will still be able to travel in both directions on Castle Hill when further works to upgrade and divert existing utilities begin on the road shortly after.

Bus passengers have also been warned as bus lanes along Castle Hill will also be suspended while work is taking place.

Drivers have been urged to leave more time for their journeys and Dudley Council will be writing to to residents, businesses, schools and colleges across the town to provide more information about the works.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: “There is little doubt for those living, working or visiting Dudley that the Metro route will make a massive difference to the town. It will help deliver new homes, jobs and so much more for the borough, making it even easier to visit our great tourist attractions.

"The construction which is about to get underway on this and other regeneration projects across the borough, however, will cause unavoidable disruption which is why I’ve written to homes and businesses in the surrounding area with further details of our Regenerating Dudley programme and to remind all that our fantastic attractions remain open as usual throughout the works.”

Construction work has already begun to build a retaining on land off Castle Hill and a potential name has been mooted for the Castle Hill stop outside Dudley Zoo.

Transport for West Midlands, who are overseeing the works, will also hold two public events to provide more information for the upcoming works.

Events will take place at Dudley market place on Saturday, February 22 between 9.30am and 3pm and at Asda in Brierley Hill on Saturday. February 29 from 10am to 3pm.