Drivers across the Midlands are set to see faster journeys and better links to key economic hubs, as the M54-M6 Link Road has been given the green light, the Government has announced today (8th July).
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer’s money where it matters most and making every day journeys easier.
“With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the North and Midlands, we’re delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities, and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change.
“We’re forging ahead with the vital new transport infrastructure Britain needs, and improving what we’ve already got, to deliver a new era of renewal and opportunity.”
The new road is expected to reduce journey times, saving commuters, business and freight thousands of hours every week.
The scheme will boost economic growth in areas like Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Cannock and Tamworth, improving traffic flow, and will provide better access to jobs at the i54 business park, including Jaguar Land Rover engine plant and the new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Four Ashes, helping improve access to opportunity and delivering the Government’s Plan for Change.
There is currently no link from the M54 onto the M6 northbound, with 26,500 vehicles having to queue on the A460, with a 30mph speed limit, and heavy goods making up 10% of that traffic.
The extra capacity will also relieve traffic congestion on the A460, A449, and A5, creating a safer and less polluted environment for local road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.
Huge improvements have also been announced for local rail services. The new Midlands Rail Hub will be the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme to date.
Significant Government funding will mean huge numbers of additional trains and extra seats can be added to the rail network in and out of Birmingham every single day This will support new homes and create greener growth across the Midlands while providing faster, more frequent and new rail links for over 50 locations including: Bromsgrove, Worcester, and Cardiff.
The creation of this ambitious rail hub will also mean almost 13,000 construction jobs across the Midlands.
To support local journeys, the Government also confirmed it is continuing support the A4123 Birchley Island scheme, providing extra capacity at the linked junctions of Birchley Island and M5 Junction 2. This is vital to connecting communities, easing thousands of congested commutes and unlocking further housing and jobs.
It comes as the Government greenlights over fifty road and rail upgrades across the country, as part of the £92 billion of transport investment in the Spending Review, supporting 42,000 jobs, enabling 1.5 million new homes, and improving connectivity for 50,000 people as part of its Plan for Change.
Vicki Flindall, Director of Finance, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, said:
“The Midlands Rail Hub will be a fantastic boost for over 12,000 people who work at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham – where we provide care for over one million patients each year.
“Faster and more frequent services make getting to our hospital by train increasingly attractive for the amazing professionals we need to provide life-saving and life-changing care every day, and ease of travel is vitally important for our patients, who come to us for expert care from right across the region, and beyond.”
Stuart Cain, Chief Executive, Edgbaston Stadium:
“The Midlands Rail Hub is crucial, without it we will continue to struggle to get people in and out of Birmingham and unlock our true potential as a major European economic, social and tourist city. Just this weekend as we welcomed over 100,000 people to Edgbaston for the England v India Test Match, we heard stories of fans experiencing over-crowded trains and being left on platforms from towns around the West Midlands. The planned increase in capacity will help alleviate this and improve the experience of those wanting to live, work and play in the city.”
Raj Kandola, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
“It’s hugely exciting to see that the Government has committed to the delivery of the Midlands Rail Hub – a game changing project that could unlock huge socio-economic benefits across the West Midlands and beyond.
“As the largest business membership body in the region we have been long standing champions of the Midlands Rail Hub as we can see the decisive step change it could bring to rail transport in our region – once delivered, the project will not only create thousands of jobs but also hundreds of apprenticeship opportunities.
“By adding millions of extra seats across the rail network, this will help to shorten journey times, reduce congestion and ultimately drive productivity gains in a part of the country that lags behind its regional counterparts.
“We look forward to working with local and national stakeholders as the Rail Hub moves to its next phase of development and ensure the voice of local business remains at the heart of the project.”