Three options unveiled for new M54 link road
Three options have been unveiled for a new link road from the M54 to the M6 and M6 Toll.
The project will ease congestion and improve safety on the A460 Cannock Road.
Highways England today launched a month-long consultation over the three routes.
One proposal, Option B West, is for a new road linking Junction 1 of the M54 to the A4601 Wolverhampton Road, close to the M6 Toll.
The route would also see a new road into Featherstone.
The second proposal, Option C West, would widen the existing M54 from junction 1 towards the M6.
The route would then branch off north, following the M6 and going under Hilton Lane and the A460 Cannock Road.
It would eventually connect to the M6 north of junction 11 and to the M6 Toll at junction T8.
The final proposal, Option C East, would also see the widening of the M54 up to the M6, but would branch off earlier than Option C West.
The road would cut through ancient woodland at Burn’s Wood, Spring Coppice and Keeper’s Wood.
It would then also connect to the M6 north of junction 11 and to the M6 Toll at junction T8.
Highways England says Option B West would have the most impact in reducing traffic on the A460 Cannock Road and A449 Stafford Road.
A consultation starts today on the routes with an event at Shareshill Village Hall in Elms Lane from 1pm to 8pm.
It will be followed by similar events at Featherstone and Hilton Community Centre, in Baneberry Drive, on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Essington Community Centre, in Hobnock Road, on Monday.
A webchat will take place at www.highways.gov.uk/m54-to-m6m6-toll-link-road on September 27 from 11am to 2pm.
The consultation will end on October 13.
Currently, the M54 merges with the M6 southbound at junction 10a.
This 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.
Highways England says the scheme will relieve traffic congestion and support economic growth in Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton and Cannock.
Andrew Kelly, Highways England project manager, said: “Feedback from our initial consultation told us that further assessment work was needed to meet the needs of our customers.
“We have now identified three modified options and it’s really important that people have their say to help us understand what is important to local communities and all of our customers – whether you are a local resident, driver, cyclist, or walker.”
During a consultation in 2015, 87 per cent of members of the public said a link road was required.
The A460 currently carries about 26,500 vehicles each day with heavy goods vehicles making up about 10 per cent of this figure.
The proposed link road could remove around 22,000 vehicles a day, creating a safer and less congested environment for local road users, say the Highways Agency.
