Shropshire Star

Talks on bid to link M54 with northbound M6

A new link between the M54 and the M6 moved a step closer today, with the government announcing plans to hold formal talks in a bid to move the project forward.

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The link to the northbound M6 has long been identified as being crucial to the growth of business in Shropshire.

And today John Hayes, Minister for Roads, revealed that he has asked the Department of Transport to launch formal consultations with both of Shropshire's local highways authorities and the county's five MPs.

Those consultations are now expected to start later this month while a full public exhibition will be held later in the year.

Currently, traffic wishing to travel north from the county has to leave the M54 at junction two and travel through Staffordshire to join the M6.

But today's announcement could hasten the arrival of a new multi-million pound link road, which would also make it easier for traffic from Shropshire to join the M6 Toll.

The announcement was today welcomed by Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard who has four of the M54's seven junctions in his constituency.

"I am delighted that the prospect of the new road is one step closer," he said.

"This will be a major infrastructure project which will create immediate jobs as well as bringing longer term prosperity and improved access to the county."

Earlier this year the government gave its clearest indication yet that the road would be built.

Transport Minister Robert Goodwill told the House of Commons that the scheme could be part of a Treasury pledge to invest more than £28 billion in enhancements and maintenance of national and local roads.

He said the M6-M54 link road would happen "subject to the finalisation of options and agreement being reached on developer contributions".

There are also hopes the M54 will be extended through to Shrewsbury, with the current A5 upgraded.

Shropshire businessman Graham Wynn, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "The M54-M6 corridor is vital to businesses operating in Shropshire."

Business leaders have long argued that it is important to the profile of Shropshire that its county town is linked to Britain's motorway network.

It, and a direct rail link between the county and London, are seen as essential to improving Shropshire's transport links.

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