An organisation looking to push the agenda for the proposed M54/M6 link road in South Staffordshire is urging local firms to come forward.
Sub-national transport body Midlands Connect believes ‘plenty’ of businesses along the M54 corridor would benefit from stronger connections to the M6 northbound but are currently held back by gridlock and daily delays on local roads like the A449 and A460 near the Staffordshire villages of Featherstone and Coven.
National Highways has said improving the link between the two motorways will support local economic growth for Cannock and Tamworth in the county as well as in Telford, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.
The scheme was originally earmarked for the Road Improvement Scheme (RIS) 2 for delivery between 2020 and 2025, but has been delayed.
Now, the new government has outlined ambitions to unlock key economic growth corridors, and Midlands Connect wants to build a strong case for it to invest in the M54/M6 northbound link.
They would like to speak to organisations that use this route to understand how it impacts their business operations, and how investment in the proposed link road would support their businesses to grow or operate more efficiently.
These discussions would be used to form the basis of a qualitative report that will help build the case for the upgrade.
Businesses have been told their input could make a ‘massive difference’.
Integrated Transport Programme Lead for Midlands Connect, Swati Mittal said: “We want to hear from businesses and we want to hear your experiences. We want to hear about the impact that local congestion and gridlock on the A460 and A449 can cause your firm on a daily basis.
“Please do get in touch with us over the next couple of weeks. We need your views to highlight the critical demand to upgrade this vital link to the local road network.
“Your experiences and thoughts could make a massive difference, please do take five minutes to get in touch and let us know what the impact is on your business.”
Earlier this year, Daily Focus reported that the link road was one of four key road improvement schemes in Staffordshire to have made a list of projects described by Midlands Connect as being transformational for the Midlands.
The ‘Keeping the Midlands moving’ report states the M54 to M6 link road has been subject to significant delays due to design alterations and legal disputes, but would relieve traffic congestion on the A460, A449 and A5. Its estimated cost is £175 to £200 million.
Anyone who feels their organisation would benefit from the M54/M6 northbound link, should get in touch via [email protected].
