M54/M6 link must be priority, say council bosses

It comes as Midlands Connect has recommended a new relief road which would link the M5 with the M6/M6 Toll in a bid to ease congestion on the region’s roads.

Transport chiefs say the Western Strategic Route could shift one fifth of traffic travelling through the region from the M6 in the north and M5 in the south away from the motorways.

But bosses at Telford & Wrekin Council want a link between the M54 and M6 to be the government's top priority.

Councillor Hilda Rhodes, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for transport, roads and broadband, says it is much-needed and will boost economic growth in the county.

She said: “In terms of possible improvements to the motorway infrastructure in the Midlands, getting the M54/M6 link built is the most urgent scheme as far as we are concerned.

“One of the key selling points of our borough to external investors is the fantastic transport links that Telford enjoys and we have very much made the most of that to attract new investment.

“However, the icing on the cake would be a proper motorway link from the M54 to the M6 northbound.

“While I am delighted that there still appears to be a commitment to this project, I would urge that this should happen as soon as possible.”

Midlands Connect says it is still committed to the scheme.

Its director, Maria Machancoses, said: “As far as we’re concerned, the M54-M6 link simply must happen.

"All our plans assume that this link is already in place.

"There’s no question, it’s a strategic imperative and further delays must be avoided at all costs."

Three options were put forward last year for the new M54/M6 link road and Highways England launched a consultation.

Currently, the M54 merges with the M6 southbound at junction 10a at Walsall.

It means northbound road users have to leave the motorway network and navigate local A roads in order to connect with the M6 north at junction 11 or 12 or the toll road at junction T8 to continue their journey.