Priority highway projects across the Midlands could get under way within the next five years after the region’s sub national transport body submitted a funding bid to Government.
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Midlands Connect has put in a request for £596M to the Department for Transport to be shared among seven projects on the Major Road Network and four Large Local Majors.
Of these, the greatest investment is requested for the Hereford Bypass, which Midlands Connect says could open by 2024 if Government contributes £134M towards its £153M estimated capital cost.
But the future of the project is uncertain following a decision by Herefordshire Council’s new cabinet to pause and review the bypass – and consider sustainable transport alternatives – in August. The council also said it would look at trialling the removal of some traffic signals.
“As part of this review it is important to consider alternative options,” said the council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and transport John Harrington.
“It is vital that travel, transport and infrastructure developments in Hereford support the economy, help to improve health and wellbeing and make Herefordshire a better place to live, work and visit. We also need to ensure we effectively respond to the climate emergency.”
Midlands Connect identified the 11 priority schemes put forward to Government by working with the 22 councils within the region. They include bypasses, widening roads at congestion hotspots, improving junctions and roundabouts, new links between existing stretches of road and better pedestrian and cycling facilities.
In total £3.5Bn is available nationally for the Major Road Network and Large Local Majors from 2020 to 2025.
Midlands Connect’s head of technical programmes Simon Statham said: “By speaking with a collective voice on behalf of the Midlands, we believe each of the schemes submitted has provided all the evidence the Government needs to fund them in full.
“We expect to be celebrating a £600M investment in to the region to help our local authorities get on and deliver this transformational programme of upgrades.”
Major Road Network projects for which Midlands Connect has made funding bids are:
• A4123 Birchley Island, Sandwell
• A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme, Worcestershire
• A426/A4071 Avon Mill/Hunters Lane Improvements, Warwickshire
• Queensway Link, Telford
• A511 Growth Corridor, Coalville
• A454 between Wolverhampton and East Park Gateway
• A45/Coventry Road/Damson Parkway Junction, Solihull
Bids have also been submitted for the following Large Local Majors:
• North Hykeham Relief Road
• Chesterfield-Staveley Regeneration Route
• City East Link Road
• Hereford Bypass
(Photograph: Midlands Connect)
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