Black Country Route

[citation needed] However, plans to build the Black Country Route project were revived in the early 1980s, since the congestion in the surrounding area was gradually worsening, and given the go-ahead in 1986.

It was necessary to dig up a short section at the end of the existing but unopened continuation of The Keyway which had been built by Walsall Council due to changes to the design of the junction with the Black Country Route.

The sculpture was design by the British Sculptor John Mckenna and his artistic associate Steve Field of the Dudley Borough Public Art unit at Himley Hall.

The large 6 metre span bird of prey was fabricated in 316 grade sheet stainless steel, at the A4A art for architecture studios, in Ayrshire, Scotland and installed in February 2009.

The sculpture was satin polish finished so as not to be too reflective and distractive, when seen by passing motorists from the new road and sympathetic in span shape to the design by Webb Gray of the buildings' butterfly roof.

It "is a futuristic design which comprises a spectacular tower of stainless steel mesh, interwoven with fibre optic cables that light at night and a translucent blue resin casting at the apex.

The building of the route is criticised for reaching maximum vehicle capacity within weeks of opening, especially in the area East bound towards junction 10 of the M6 motorway, which has severe tailbacking in rush hour periods.