B4176
B4176 | ||||
Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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From: | Dudley (SO944902) | |||
To: | Brockton (SJ720024) | |||
Via: | Himley, Ackleton | |||
Distance: | 17 miles (27.4 km) | |||
Meets: | B4177, B4587, B4588, B4175, A449, A454, A442, B4379 | |||
Former Number(s): | A459 | |||
Primary Destinations | ||||
Highway Authorities | ||||
Traditional Counties | ||||
Route outline (key) | ||||
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The B4176 runs west and northwest from Dudley, heading out into the Staffordshire countryside and forming an important connection to Telford in Shropshire.
Route
The road starts at a junction with the declassified Dudley High Street and heads west along Wolverhampton Street, which is the original route of the A459. Eventually a roundabout is reached where the B4588 goes off to the north; this road is also the pre-bypass A459 and so this roundabout marks the original eastern end of the B4176.
The road continues west through the Dudley suburbs. It follows Himley Road, crossing the B4175 in Gornalwood before entering open country. It passes Himley Hall, now owned by Dudley Council, before reaching the A449 at a set of traffic lights.
Originally there was a short multiplex north along the A-road before the B4176 headed west through Himley itself. Now the route goes straight across the crossroads and bypasses Himley to the south. It then skirts the edge of Wombourne, where it crosses the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the Smestow Brook. The road passes Swindon Golf Course, TOTSOs right near to Wolverhampton Airport, and crosses the Staffordshire Way before skirting Abbot's Castle Hill and entering Shropshire.
After going through Upper Aston and bypassing Upper Ludstone the road reaches a roundabout on the A454 at Rudge Heath. This is the original western end of the B4176 but with the growth of Telford the route was extended further. It thus continues via Ackleton and a bridge over the River Worfe before crossing the Monarch's Way and ending at a roundabout where it meets the A442 and B4373. The edge of the Telford urban area is only a mile away.
Opening Dates
Year | Section | Notes |
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1988 | Himley Bypass | According to the plaque on the route near the A449, the road was opened in July 1988 by Councillor Terry Dix. The 50% grant from EEC was authorised in June 1988. Forecast cost was £1.04 million. |
1994 | Upper Ludstone Bypass | Opened on 10 February 1994 by George Raxster, County Council Chairman. Contractor was Wrekin Construction, cost £1.5 million. |