M54/M6 link road moves a step closer
A long-awaited link road between the M54 and the M6 and M6 Toll has taken a step closer to reality.
Exhibitions showing options for the planned route of the multi-million pound road will be put on as part of eight weeks of public consultation starting on December 5.
It represents a major boost for Shropshire's links with the West Midlands and it is hoped the new road would attract more businesses to the region.
Bill Birkitt, project manager for the Highways Agency, said the new road would boost economic growth in Shrewsbury and Telford.
The proposal has been in the pipeline since 2003 and £112 million of funding was originally pledged by Macquarie Infrastructure Group, the M6 Toll operator, for a range of road improvements.
The link road was included in a Government wish-list in the summer of 2013. Chancellor George Osborne has previously told the Shropshire Star that the Government was committed to the project and that funding would be confirmed before Christmas.
Currently motorists heading from Shropshire can only access the M6 directly at junction 10a to go southbound only.
To go north, drivers have to leave the M54 at junction one for Featherstone and head along the A460 to reach the M6 at junction 11 – a route which is regularly hit by long traffic queues.
Mr Birkitt said: "This scheme will keep the right traffic on the right roads. It will relieve congestion on local routes, providing more reliable journey times and making life easier and safer for businesses, commuters and local traffic.
"A new link will create better traffic flow and improve routes for north-south and east-west traffic which will also support local economic growth for Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Cannock and Tamworth.
"I would encourage as many people as possible to be part of this consultation to decide the route of the new link and have their say on the development of this important road."
Public exhibitions will take place in the West Midlands over the coming weeks. They will be held at Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre on December 5 from 2pm to 8pm and the following day from 10am to 4pm.
There will be another exhibition at Shareshill Village Hall on December 7 from 10am to 4pm.
People can complete an online questionnaire on the scheme website http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m54-to-m6m6-toll-link-road/ or submit comments to the M54 to M6/M6 Toll project team, The Cube, 199 Wharfside Street, Birmingham B1 1RN or email M54toM6/M6tolllinkroad@highways.gsi.gov.uk
The consultation will close on January 30.
