Analysis from Midlands Connect shows delivering a new
connection between the M54 and the M6 northbound would get cars
off local roads.
The A460 carries approximately 23,000 vehicles each day; 28% of
which are freight vehicles. If the proposed link road is opened,
which Midlands Connect supports, this could reduce to
approximately 4,000 vehicles each day on the A460.
The data also shows significant delays in both directions at peak
times, particularly for traffic travelling northbound. Delays as
a result of congestion are a regular occurrence on the A460
through Featherstone and Shareshill. The greatest delays are
northbound on the A460 between the Laney Green Interchange and
the A460/M6 Toll/A4601 junction.
Average speeds are 39 mph slower than the Strategic Road Network
(SRN) average for journeys between the M54 and M6 during the
morning peak eastbound and 37mph slower during the PM peak
westbound. In total, this results in journey times being over 3
minutes slower than the SRN average when travelling eastbound and
4 minutes slower for journeys travelling westbound during peak
times.
Late last year, businesses throughout the region joined the call
for upgrades saying they had to leave an hour earlier due to the
backlogs. They also agreed the environmental impact of taking
trucks off urban A roads and onto the motorway is the biggest win
of the upgrade.
Plans for the link road were approved by the government in 2022
and would involve the construction of a new road, linking
Junction 1 of the M54 to Junction 11 of the M6. Currently, to
connect between these motorways, long-haul vehicles must travel
along the A460 through the villages of Featherstone and
Shareshill, facing delays while also impacting the lives of local
people.
The Department for Transport's spending portfolio is currently
under review, and local firms are urging the government to make
these upgrades a priority. They believe the implementation of
these plans would greatly improve business operations along the
M54.
Sir , MP for Stone, Great
Wyrley and Penkridge said:
"I have repeatedly urged Government to speed up plans for a
M54/M6 link road, which is desperately needed to ease congestion
on the A460. Residents in Featherstone and Shareshill continue to
be shortchanged and access is becoming increasingly difficult on
local roads.
"I welcome Midland's Connect's evidence-based analysis which
demonstrates that 23,000 vehicles, 28% of which are freight, use
the A460 each day. This means residents have longer journey times
to work, impacting productivity and creating further damage to
the environment.
"The Government must stop dithering and listen to local people,
the County Council, and all other stakeholders who clearly
demonstrate the urgent need for this link road. I will continue
to put as much pressure on Ministers as
possible.
Swati Mittal, Integrated Transport Lead at Midlands
Connect said:
“Our new data shows by delivering the M54/M6 link we can get over
a million cars and lorries off other roads in Staffordshire.
“This can only be good for air quality and residents if we can
move those cars, snarled up in traffic away from homes and
housing estates onto a new, improved linked road that is free
flowing.”
Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for
strategic highways Mark Deaville said:
“The M54/M6 link will not only boost connectivity and economic
growth in Staffordshire, it will also remove through traffic
including HGVs from the road network in the south of the county.
“This blights local communities, through both increased
congestion and reduced air quality.
“We are a strategically well located and connected county and the
link route would help to attract additional investment in the
future, whilst supporting residents in Featherstone, Shareshill
and surrounding areas.”
Contact Information
Paul Butters
paulbutters@midlandsconnect.uk
About Midlands Connect
Midlands Connect is the transport partner of the Midlands
Engine and the Midlands' Sub-national Transport Body.
Midlands Connect researches, develops and champions long-term
transport projects to provide the biggest possible economic,
social and environmental benefits for the Midlands and the rest
of the UK.
We examine every option for improving major transport
infrastructure in our region. The fundamental aim of these
improvements is to transform regional and UK gateways, bringing
the Midlands closer together and accelerating cost-effective
improvements to unlock east-west connectivity that will enable
the Midlands' economies to work more effectively together.
Our 25-year transport strategy for the region has the potential
to add £5 billion a year to the UK economy, supporting the work
of the Midlands Engine partnership to drive pan-regional economic
prosperity.
Our partnership is made up of 22 local authorities, East Midlands
and Birmingham airports, and Chambers of Commerce stretching from
the Welsh border to the Lincolnshire coast. The partnership also
includes the Department for Transport, Network Rail, National
Highways and HS2 Ltd, who we work alongside to drive an
unprecedented level of collaboration for the good of the Midlands
and the UK.
The Midlands Connect Strategy, as well as its latest reports, can
be downloaded here: https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/publications/
