Date suggested for start of M54 link road to M6

Work on a congestion-busting link road between Shropshire's M54 and the M6 could begin as early as 2018, it was revealed today.

A cross party group of Shropshire MPs, councillors and officers from Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council met with minister Mike Penning MP on Tuesday to discuss a possible link from the M54 to the M6N and M6 Toll and has received assurances over the plan.

Mike Penning MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said a public consultation on the £300 million scheme could start in 2015 with work beginning on a new link road in 2018/9.

He added: "As discussed with Mark Pritchard MP, we are reviewing the M54/M6/M6 Toll link road as a scheme for potential start of works post 2015.

"The Government is committed to improving transport across the whole of the country but to make sure that we can deliver as much as possible we have had to focus our efforts on those schemes which provide best value for money. We will continue to work with the local authorities to help them explore all possible options."

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard said: "The meeting went very well and was very, very positive. We received a very positive response.

"This will be a large project which will have considerable investment and job creation benefits for Shropshire and is very much needed if the county is not to be left behind compared with the Black Country and West Midlands areas.

"If it does go ahead, a public consultation will start in 2015 with a possible start date in 2018/19."

Mr Penning is currently conducting a review of major projects looking for funding. He said the link was one of four being considered for funding.

Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said he was encouraged by the meeting.

"It will take planning, consultations and more planning, but if it will happen in just six years, that is quite quick for such a large project," he added.

Telford MP David Wright said: "The M54/M6 link would provide not just a boost for the local economy in Telford, but also send a message that Telford & Wrekin is the place to live, to work and to locate."