Funding of £50m to revamp region's motorways unveiled
More than £50 million will be ploughed into upgrading motorways and main roads across the region over the next three years, it can be revealed today.
Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled major improvement projects across the region, including work on the M6 and M5, at the opening day of the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
Among the first projects to get under way will be a £362,000 scheme to upgrade traffic control signals at junction nine of the M6 for Wednesbury, which is due to be completed by the end of next year.
This will be followed by more than £13m worth of works on the M5 including widening of the sliproads at junction two for Oldbury, and increasing the number of lanes at junction four for Stourbridge and Bromsgrove from three to four.
The M42 will also be given money for improvements, with works totalling £7.3m to be ploughed into a widening scheme around junction six to ease congestion when major events are held at the NEC.
All projects are due to be completed by 2015.
The news was today welcomed by councillors and MPs across the region.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, who assists transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, said the improvements would be a major boost to the region's economy.
"This is fantastic news for the whole region," he said.
"It very much puts us in pole position to benefit in attracting more investment, not just from abroad but from industry as well.
"It will be a boost to all business simply by virtue of helping us get around more easily and efficiently.
"I think it will be very much welcomed by residents, businesses and commuters alike."
As part of the £51,476,000 pledged to the improvements, part of the nationwide Pinch Point Prog- ramme, works will also be carried out to widen the junction of the A5 and A5148 in Lichfield, costing almost £900,000, as well as a project to widen approaches to the M42 junction 10 and install pedestrian crossings, costing almost £2.8m.
Investment work planned on motorways in the region
M6 junction nine:
Reduce traffic queues by upgrading signal controls
Completed: 2013
Cost: £362,000
M5 junction two:
Off slip roads to be widened, eastern section increased to four lanes
Completed: 2013
Cost: £1,749,000
A5/A5148 island:
Widening on approaches to the roundabout, with traffic signals at eastbound junction A5148 onto A5
Completed: 2014
Cost: £859,000
M42 junction 10:
Widening of island approaches, installing traffic signals
Completed: 2014
Cost: £2,791,000
M5 junction four:
Create a fourth lane on the roundabout and entry and exit roads to the island
Completed: 2015
Cost: £11,313,000
M42 junction six:
Entry and exits to the island to combat traffic queues
Completed: 2015
Cost: £7,380,000
