Business welcomes M54 link decision

Firms also say the link will not only benefit people living and working in the county, but it will also help businesses to run more efficiently.

Highways England has announced that commuters travelling through the Midlands are set to benefit from the new multi-million-pound route.

The new route linking the M54 to the M6 will help motorists travelling from Shropshire wanting to drive north on to the M6.

It is expected to slash up to 30 minutes off journeys for regular commuters each week and promises to take around 22,000 vehicles a day from the A460, making that major road less congested.

It will also ease congestion on the A449 and A5 by separating local traffic from long-distance and commuter traffic, and overall the impact on congestion will boost the regional economy.

The route was chosen after a consultation that saw nearly three quarters of respondents give it support.

Carl Wilday, managing director of Shropshire’s largest taxi firm Go Carz, said: “This is great news for people living and working in the Midlands. Our drivers have long been frustrated when taking clients north from Shropshire or the West Midlands, because the area between the M54 and northbound is often very congested.

“It’s also great news for those living nearby the new route because it will remove traffic from the local roads, helping speed up those shorter journeys such as the school run.”

Chris Morris, director of Shrewsbury-based property group Morris and Company, said: “This is great news for Shropshire and the West Midlands region as it will significantly enhance our connections. We welcome the investment and the economic improvement it will bring to the area.”

Ged Young, distribution director of agricultural group Wynnstay, said: “This new link between the M54 and M6 motorways will be of major benefit to Wynnstay, not only reducing our operating costs but also moving our ‘heavy’ fleet away from built up and congested areas. This will have a significantly positive impact on residents, local commutes and the environment.”

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski also welcomed the news, tweeting: “Important transport investment for our county.”

Currently, the M54 merges with the M6 southbound at junction 10a. But northbound road users must leave the motorway network and take other routes to connect with the M6 north at junction 11 or 12 or the toll road at junction T8 to continue their journey.

The A460 currently carries about 26,500 vehicles each day with heavy goods vehicles making up about 10 per cent of this figure.

Highways England consulted on three options for a new route, and will now take forward its preferred route, which is based on ‘Option B West’.

This option is the shortest route.

Once complete, the new route will include a two-lane dual carriageway link road between M54 junction 1 and M6 junction 11. There will be an improved junction arrangement at M54 junction 1 and M6 junction 11.

Highways England will be carrying out further work including completing surveys and investigation work to help design the scheme in greater detail.