End in sight for latest roadworks near Cannock designer outlet
Traffic turmoil caused by the closure of a busy major route in Cannock is due to ease next week.
A section of the A5190 Lichfield Road in Cannock has been closed for weeks as work has been carried out on providing access routes into the £160 million designer outlet village being built there.
Now road restrictions are being lifted on one side of the carriage, starting from September 9, although disruption will continue for drivers travelling in the opposite direction.
The works, being carried out by the county council, will pave the way for the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock, which is set to be completed in 2020 creating up to 1,000 jobs.
The road scheme is aimed at improving traffic flow on surrounding roads and has so far caused 10 months of disruption.
Drivers have faced a two-mile diversion while the 350m section of Lichfield Road, between the Biffa landfill roundabout and the Devon Road junction, has been fully closed to traffic since July 17.
The westbound lane will be the first to open while the eastbound side will remain closed until October 18 while gas work is carried out.
It has also been announced that the closed section of Hayes Way at its junction with the A460 Eastern Way will now open in mid-October – five months earlier than anticipated.
McArthurGlen has committed £15m to the road scheme, taking place at Churchbridge and the A460 Eastern Way.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Helen Fisher said: “The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is a hugely important development.
"It will create jobs and bring visitors into Cannock, boosting the local economy.
"Before this happens, the infrastructure needs to be in place and we are making every effort to get works completed as soon as possible.”
George Adamson, the leader of Cannock Chase Council, added: “I know the disruption of the road works has been frustrating for residents and we appreciate their patience and understanding.
"But these are essential to progress this development, which will bring investment and jobs into the district.”
The overall "road improvements" scheme includes:
Access and improvements on the A460 Eastern Way, Churchbridge interchange and Orbital Way
Widening the A460 Eastern Way to a dual carriageway and creating slip roads to the designer outlet
Creating a new underpass and access to the site from the A460, new footpaths and cycle ways
Widening both the eastern and western A460 legs at the Churchbridge junction to provide two lanes in both directions
Widening Orbital Way on the eastbound side, improving the Lodge Lane and Churchbridge roundabouts and installing new toucan crossings on Eastern Way
