Shropshire A5 businesses urged to take part in survey

Businesses situated on or use the A5 are being urged to express their views in a survey being supported by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Midlands Connect, a Midlands-wide transport body looking to improve investment in infrastructure across the region, are working with several Chambers of Commerce to gauge the importance of the A5 to businesses that utilise the road.

The A5 is a major road stretching from London to Holyhead, with key motorway and town links, including Telford, Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Chirk.

It is at the centre of a campaign to turn the section north of Shrewsbury into a dual carriageway. More than 5,000 people signed a petition backed by the Shropshire Star to improve the vital route.

Responses from businesses will be used to help shape investment and development plans along the route.

Crucial

The survey is the result of action points set out in Midlands Connect’s Routes to Growth report, which indicated a number of transport developments needed in order to upgraded the Midlands transport infrastructure.

The report stated that the A5 is ‘a crucial east-west corridor across the Midlands, support job and housing growth.’

Chris Plant, director of Chase Chamber of Commerce in Staffordshire said the road was vital to the whole West Midlands region, including the links between his county and Shropshire.

He said: “The A5 and its development is a key route for many Staffordshire-based businesses, delivering them connectivity to opportunities to grow and do business across the country.

“Contributions from businesses is therefore absolutely necessary in order to help guide the work that Midlands Connect, and its partners, will be doing to upgrade and develop this route.

“I urge all businesses that utilize this key A road to contribute and make their voices heard via this survey, in order to help shape the positive future of this local and national corridor.”

To complete the survey visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HJGSGFB