A major new road project aimed at cutting congestion for thousands of drivers has been given the green light by the Government.
The £112million upgrade of the A46 Walsgrave junction, near Coventry, is expected to reduce delays and improve safety for around 57,000 drivers who use the route every day.
Work on the scheme is scheduled to begin in autumn, with National Highways stating its intention to open the route to traffic by 2028.
The junction currently operates as a three-arm roundabout linking the A46 with the B4082, which National Highways warned causes regular congestion for motorists and slows journeys, particularly during busy times.
Under the new plans, traffic on the A46 will soon be able to flow freely without stopping, while drivers will still be able to join and leave the road using new connections to the local road network.
The project forms part of a wider effort to improve one of the UK’s most important road corridors, connecting the South West to the North through the Midlands.
The scheme was approved by Transport Minister Lord Hendy on behalf of Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, allowing National Highways to move into the construction phase.
Emma Winter, project manager at National Highways, said the upgrade would bring clear benefits for everyday road users as well as the wider economy.
Work on the new junction is expected to begin in autumn, with the road hoping to be completed by 2028
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
She said: “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.
“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.”
Industry groups have also welcomed the decision, stating that the junction upgrade has been long overdue and essential for businesses that rely on reliable journey times.
The route acts as a vital trade corridor between the South West, the Midlands and the North
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GOOGLE MAPS
James Barwise, policy lead at the Road Haulage Association, explained how the A46 is critical for freight operators and commercial drivers.
He said: “We welcome the decision to give consent for the A46 Walsgrave Junction upgrade. The A46 is a vital strategic road for hauliers, coaches and vans, connecting businesses and ports on either side of the country.
“Schemes such as this and the emerging A46 Newark Bypass are critical to ensuring that this route supports the frictionless movement of goods and unlocks economic growth for businesses across the Midlands.”
National Highways detailed how better road links will also make it easier for people to reach jobs and for employers to recruit from a wider area. Well-connected areas are also more attractive to new businesses, helping local economies grow.
The road is used by 57,000 drivers using the road every day
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NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The scheme has been classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008, meaning it required a Development Consent Order before work could begin.
The agency revealed that it will now commence a six-week period during which legal challenges can be made against the decision.
The Walsgrave junction upgrade forms part of the wider Coventry Junctions programme, which aims to improve traffic flow on the A46 between the M6 and the M40. A nearby upgrade at Binley junction was completed in 2022.
National Highways stated that Walsgrave is the last remaining roundabout on this stretch of the A46 that needs improvement.
