New calls to get 'vital' M54-M6 link under way
Fresh calls have been made for a new link connecting the M54 and M6 motorways to be built at the earliest opportunity.
Midlands Connect, which has made the call, is the transport partner of the Midlands Engine and works to research, develop and recommend projects which provide the biggest possible economic and social benefits for the region.
The move has been welcomed by Telford & Wrekin Council.
The multi-million-pound route was announced by Highways England in September, and is expected to slash up to 30 minutes off journeys for regular commuters each week. It also 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.
Simon Statham, director of technical programmes at Midlands Connect, said: “As far as we’re concerned, the M54-M6 link simply must happen.
“This project is one of our top regional priorities and a potential game changer for the Midlands motorway network.
“All our plans assume that this link is already in place.
“It is a strategic imperative and further delays must be avoided.”
Telford & Wrekin Council has long lobbied for the link to be constructed as it believes there will be significant social and economic benefits for the borough.
The Department for Transport said last year that it is still committed to the link being built as soon as possible.
Clarity
The link road is among 10 regional priority schemes that Midlands Connect is asking Highways England for clarity on, to ensure that those earmarked to start construction by March 2020 are completed by 2025.
Dominic Proud, Telford & Wrekin Council’s service delivery manager for highways, transport and engineering, said: “We welcome the support of Midlands Connect in calling for the earliest possible construction of the M54/M6 link road.
“Getting this link built is the most urgent improvement to the region’s motorway network as far as we are concerned.
“One of the things that makes Telford attractive to external investors is the fantastic transport links the borough enjoys.
“But getting a proper motorway link to the M54 to the M6 northbound would be the icing on the cake.”
Currently, the M54 merges with the M6 southbound at junction 10a.
This means 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.
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, providing the best journey time of the options and could save regular commuters around 30 minutes a week.
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.
