A new connection will get cars off local roads, thanks to funding
announced today
Currently no direct motorway link from the M54 to the M6 north
means road users wanting to access the M6 north or M6 Toll must
use local roads such as the A460.
This means high volumes of both long-distance and local traffic
passes through the villages of Featherstone, Hilton and
Shareshill.
Business, politicians and residents nearby have long backed
Midlands Connect's call for new link
road approximately 2.5 km/ 1.6 miles lone, taking
trucks off urban A roads to improve journeys for everyone in the
area.
Research by Midlands Connect showed the A460 carries
approximately 23,000 vehicles each day; 28% of which are freight
vehicles. When the new link road is opened, this could reduce to
approximately 4,000 vehicles each day on the A460, significantly
reducing delays and tailbacks.
Commenting on the announcement of funding for the M54-M6
Link Road, the CEO of Midlands Connect Maria Machancoses,
said: “This link road is critical to alleviate
congestion, improve connectivity, and unlock economic growth for
Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Cannon, Tamworth and the
wider region.
“We will see smoother traffic flow as a result, easing the
pressure on villages currently blighted by tailbacks.
“The funding announcement is a great result for businesses and
residents of this area and we look forward to working with
partners to make it a reality.”
Sir , MP for Stone, Great
Wyrley and Penkridge, said: “I am delighted that the
M54-M6 northern link road will be funded. This will have a
transformative impact for residents of Featherstone, Shareshill
and surrounding villages, whose lives have been blighted by
congestion.
"I have campaigned alongside Midlands Connect for this link road
to be built, and I am so pleased that it will now go ahead.”
About Midlands Connect
Midlands Connect is the Sub-national Transport Body for
the Midlands.
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 region's economies to work more effectively together.
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, with whom 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/
