Effective relief from congestion promised by major road schemes
TWO major road schemes to upgrade key road junctions in the West Midlands have received Government approval.
Improvements to the M1 junction 19 (A14) Catthorpe interchange, near Rugby and A45 and A46 Tollbar End junction, near Coventry – which are both used by more than 90,000 vehicles a day – can now move to the next stage of development.
Government consent means the Highways Agency can now continue to work with contractors on progressing and completing detailed project designs for both schemes, with construction work slated to start between January and March 2014.
Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “It is great that we have been able to give the green-light for both of these important interchanges and they can now move a step closer towards construction.
“These improvements are vital for the economy, but most importantly for motorists in the Midlands, in reducing congestion levels and making journey times quicker in and around these two busy junctions.”
Government consent follows the submission by the Department for Transport and the Department for Communities and Local Government of the planning and environmental recommendations compiled by independent inspectors.
M1 J19 Catthorpe Interchange
The junction between the M1, M6 and A14 is important for north/south and east/west traffic movements across the UK. The M6 and A14 route is also part of the Ireland UK Benelux Trans-European network. Around 142,000 vehicles use this junction every day.
The key objectives of the published scheme are to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability, improve road safety and conditions for vulnerable users and separate local traffic from long distance traffic.
The improvements will provide free-flow links for the major turning movements at Junction 19, while retaining the M1 on its current alignment allowing free-flow traffic to pass between the M6 and A14. It will also include a three-level interchange involving the construction of six new bridges and the demolition of two existing bridges.
As part of the scheme, the local road network will be improved by a new link between Rugby Road and Shawell Lane north of the M6; a local route under the junction between Swinford and Catthorpe; and improvements to Shawell Lane between Catthorpe Road and the M6.
A45 and A46 Tollbar End junction
The Tollbar End roundabout is an important junction on the UK strategic road network, south of Coventry.
The junction provides movement between the M40, M42, M45, M6, M1 and M69 motorways, and provides a link for vehicles between London and the Midlands. The junction also facilitates the movement of local traffic, in particular to Coventry airport and nearby businesses and industries.
The scheme offers significant improvements to both strategic and local traffic, as it would increase the capacity of the A45 and A46 Tollbar End Roundabout, enabling traffic to flow more easily through the junction, reducing rat running in southern Coventry.
Around 90,000 vehicles use the A45 and A46 Tollbar End roundabout every day – a significantly greater number than the existing junction’s design capacity. The resulting congestion means that motorists are enduring large queues going onto Tollbar End roundabout and subsequent long delays.
