MP's hopes for M54 M6 link
The Department of Transport has been urged to push forward with plans to establish a road linking Shropshire's M54 to the M6 and M6 Toll to help bring growth and new jobs to the county.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski believes the proposed link road, which would enable traffic from Shropshire to access the M6 northbound without using A roads for the first time, would provide a "major boost for business investment".
Mr Kawczynski said: "I feel very strongly about getting Shropshire better connected and believe that the bid to link the M54 with the northbound M6 is a vital campaign.
"I lobbied the Government persistently on the direct train line service from Shrewsbury to London, which was a success, and have been doing so again with regard to this campaign as it is an important investment that will provide jobs and growth to the county."
Mr Kawczynski wrote to Transport Secretary John Hayes raising issues of congestion on roads such as the A460 between Wolverhampton and Cannock and the A449 around Gailey Island - routes often used by commuters in Shropshire to access the M6 northbound and M6 Toll.
In his letter he said: "The A460 between Wolverhampton and Cannock and the A449 between Wolverhampton and Gailey are often very congested due to the inadequate access to the M54 and the M6 (Toll).
"You will be aware that there has for some time now been a proposal to build a link between the roads but there has been no progress recently.
"This would be major boost for business investment into Shropshire.There has been continued concern about this matter by my constituents."
Mr Hayes has since replied confirming the Government was committed to funding the scheme "subject to the finalisation of options and agreement being reached on developer contributions".
He said that the Highways Agency was looking to finalise their plans and would be providing an update in the autumn.
It is hoped the plan will dramatically reduce the time it takes drivers to travel between the M54 and M6, as well as the toll road. It will also improve access to the new Jaguar Land Rover site at i54.
Currently drivers have to take a detour on single-carriageway A-roads to access the M6 northbound from the M54.
The designs suggest either a remodelling of the existing junction 10a of the M6 or a new road to join junction 11. Consultation will begin later this month.
