Businesses asked for views on need for M54/M6 link

Businesses hit by congestion and gridlock have been urged to give their views on the need for a northbound M54/M6 link road as the government reviews transport spending.

Midlands Connect, which works to progress transport schemes in the region, wants to hear the experiences of firms to help highlight demand for the £200m scheme, which was approved in 2022.

National Highways said preparatory work was ongoing to build the motorway link between the M54 and M6, but noted the Department for Transport’s spending portfolio was under review.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the review was ongoing.

The DfT referred the BBC to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh's written statement in July, in which she said the previous administration had left a £22bn funding gap, £2.9bn of which included unfunded transport commitments.

Midlands Connect has urged firms to highlight the "critical demand to upgrade this vital link”, which would serve Shropshire, Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.

It said plenty of businesses on the M54 corridor, held back by gridlock and daily delays on local roads such as the A449 and A460, would benefit.

Swati Mittal, integrated transport programme lead, said: “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.”

Midlands Connect cited a construction industry report that said five schemes had been axed across the country.

Ms Mittal said: "As the government reviews the capital programme, we are working to give them up-to-date evidence, but also the latest views and intelligence from local firms."

National Highways has said the scheme will provide an improved link between the M54 and M6.

Currently, there is no direct northbound motorway link between the two.

National Highways said this meant “huge volumes of both long distance and local traffic” used local roads to travel the route.

In September, National Highways said: “While the review is ongoing, we’re continuing with the preparatory works and remain committed to the project.”

It said a high-pressure gas pipeline was being diverted and a new delivery partner being appointed, with preparatory work expected to end in December.

The 2.5km (1.6-mile) road between junction one of the M54 and junction 11 of the M6 is expected to reduce congestion through the Staffordshire villages of Featherstone, Hilton and Shareshill.

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