Local communities along the M5, travellers using the motorway and the local economy are all set to benefit from extra Government investment in roads, news that has been warmly welcomed by local MP, Sir Peter Luff.
The Department of Transport announced £1.4 billion of new investment for infrastructure in the Midlands area ahead of the Autumn Statement on Wednesday (3rd December). This money is part of a £15 billion Roads Investment Strategy for across the country - with over 100 major schemes planned in total.
Money had already been promised for the adoption of a 'managed motorway scheme' on the M5 between junctions 4a and 6, allowing the use of the hard shoulder with a traffic management system to increase capacity substantially on the existing motorway. But this additional investment for the area also includes major improvements at Junction 6 on the M5 and a new low road noise surface on the motorway. The managed motorway will also now be extended from junction 4a beyond junction 6 all the way to junction 7.
Sir Peter explained,
"I am delighted that the Government has committed further investment for the M5, which is set to improve three key problem areas on this motorway.
"First, those who use this road regularly will know how often it can become congested and traffic can move very slowly. Thanks to the managed motorway scheme the road will become safer, more reliable and journey times should improve significantly.
"Second, the plans for improvement works at Junction 6 will unlock the potential of the High Tech Park planned for the site at this junction. £120 million of other funding has been set aside for this project, which will bring hundreds of jobs and major economic benefits to the area. Worcester Warriors fans will also benefit as it will make getting to and from Sixways much easier on busy match days.
"Third, earlier this year confirmation was given that the managed motorway scheme would include resurfacing the M5 between junctions 4a and 6 with a low noise surface. This was a huge relief to those who live close to the road and have suffered dreadful noise pollution from the traffic. The work will now be extended to Junction 7, which means that residents in Whittington will also now reap the benefits of a low noise surface on the road.
"All of this investment will make a huge difference to people who use the road and those who live alongside it. With the construction of the new Worcestershire Parkway station near junction 7, travel to and from our county is genuinely being transformed."