A46 junction upgrade given green light

Logistics UK welcomes news that the A46, a critical transport corridor, will be upgraded.

Lord Hendy, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander, has approved a Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A46 Walsgrave junction upgrade project, part of the Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor between the M5 and Humber Ports.

The A46 serves millions of people, supports jobs and connects inland manufacturing and distribution hubs with major ports.

The Walsgrave junction, which will be further developed to reduce substantial congestion, connects the A46 to the B4082. Currently a three-arm priority roundabout, the new junction will enable a free-flowing carriageway that allows drivers to enter and exit the local road network.

National Highways Project Manager Emma Winter said: “Motorways and major A roads play a key role in keeping the UK economy moving, carrying a third of all traffic and two thirds of freight. The A46 is a major trade corridor between the south west, the Midlands and the north, which is why we need to remove this bottleneck on the outskirts of Coventry.

“The new-look Walsgrave junction will reduce delays by delivering much-needed additional capacity, better connectivity and safer journeys for the 57,000 drivers using the road every day.”

Jonathan Walker, Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy at Logistics UK said: “The ‘Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor’ is a nationally significant trade and export route, and the A46 Walsgrave junction upgrade is a critical step in linking the M5 with the Humber ports. It is estimated that every £1 invested in the Strategic Road Network returns over £2 to society, so when complete, the scheme will help the logistics sector deliver the government’s ambitious growth plans and increase the resilience of our critical supply chains.”