A proposed new link between the M54 and M6 northbound could take 19,000 vehicles off local roads, says Midlands Connect.
Currently, to connect between these motorways, long-haul vehicles must travel along the A460 through the villages of Featherstone and Shareshill.
Analysis by transport body Midlands Connect, which has submitted an enhanced strategic case to the government to ask them to fund the scheme, found that the A460 carries approximately 23,000 vehicles each day, of which 28 per cent are freight vehicles.
Midlands Connect believe this could reduce to approximately 4,000 vehicles each day if the proposed link road is opened, reducing congestion and delays through the South Staffordshire villages.
Plans for the link road were approved by the government in 2022 – although the Department for Transport’s spending portfolio is currently under review – and would involve the construction of a new road, linking Junction 1 of the M54 to Junction 11 of the M6.
Data also showed ‘significant’ delays in both directions at peak times, with average speeds 39mph slower than the strategic road network (SRN) average for journeys between the M54 and M6 during the morning peak eastbound and 37mph slower during the afternoon/evening peak westbound.
Late last year Midlands Connect spoke to local businesses and organisations that rely on local roads such as the A460, A449 and A5 to travel between the M54 and M6. These firms reported that the frequent congestion on local roads was impacting their operations, stunting their growth and losing them money – with some saying drivers had to leave an hour earlier to avoid rush hour delays.
Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, urged the government to ‘speed up’ plans for the link road.
He said: “I have repeatedly urged Government to speed up plans for a M54/M6 link road, which is desperately needed to ease congestion on the A460. Residents in Featherstone and Shareshill continue to be shortchanged, and access is becoming increasingly difficult on local roads.
“I welcome Midlands Connect’s evidence-based analysis which demonstrates that 23,000 vehicles, 28 per cent of which are freight, use the A460 each day. This means residents have longer journey times to work, impacting productivity and creating further damage to the environment.
“The Government must stop dithering and listen to local people, the County Council and all other stakeholders who clearly demonstrate the urgent need for this link road. I will continue to put as much pressure on Ministers as possible.”
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways, Mark Deaville, added: “The M54/M6 link will not only boost connectivity and economic growth in Staffordshire, it will also remove through traffic including HGVs from the road network in the south of the county. It blights local communities, through both increased congestion and reduced air quality.
“We are a strategically well located and connected county and the link route would help to attract additional investment in the future, while supporting residents in Featherstone, Shareshill and surrounding areas.”
