Express & Star comment: Care vital in building of link road between M6 and M54
The new link road connecting two of the region’s busiest stretches of motorway was always likely to prove controversial.
In some respects, the route between the M54 and the M6 is much-needed.
Not only will it drastically reduce congestion on gridlocked roads in the surrounding areas, but it will also slash journey times – something that will greatly benefit commuters and businesses.
Many firms have complained long and hard about the lack of connectivity between the two motorways, an issue which costs the West Midlands economy millions of pounds a year.
Currently, the M54 merges with the M6 southbound at junction 10a, which means northbound road users have to leave the motorway network and take other routes to connect with the M6 north.
It is both time-consuming and costly, and businesses of all size and scale will undoubtedly welcome the plans.
The nearby A460 currently carries about 26,500 vehicles each day with heavy goods vehicles making up about 10 per cent of this figure.
However, people living in the South Staffordshire countryside along the path of the new road are understandably concerned.
If and when Highways England starts construction on this scheme, it is vital that these concerns are fully addressed.
The impact on residents’ lives must be as minimal as possible. Concerns have been raised about the proximity of the route to houses, noise pollution and the impact on the environment.
Nobody wants to see the greenbelt ripped up, but if it must be done then proper, detailed impact studies must take place beforehand.
Bosses at Highways England insist their plans will ease congestion, support economic growth and improve safety.
They say the chosen option is the shortest route and will provide the best journey times. It will certainly be interesting to see how this one pans out.
Across the West Midlands there is a real battle developing between the will to preserve our green spaces and the need for progress.
While the debates are sure to rage over this route, we can only hope that the needs and concerns of local residents are never far from the minds of those who are behind it.
