Transport body calls on government to resolve 'gridlock and daily delays' with delayed M54/M6 link

Midlands Connect, which brings together more than 20 local authorities including transport organisations in the midlands region, says it wants to "push the agenda" for the delayed £200million link road connecting the M54 with the M6.

The organisation says businesses along the M54 are currently "held back by gridlock and daily delays", and it has called for them to get in touch with their views. 

The move comes after the incoming Labour government announced a major review of a number of infrastructure schemes including the M54 link after it was elected in July, saying £2.9billion of commitments made by the previous government were "unfunded". The project was originally given the go-ahead by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2022.

"The new government has outlined ambitions to unlock key economic growth corridors, and Midlands Connect wants to build a strong case for it to invest in the M54/M6 northbound link," said a spokesperson. 

"They would like to speak to organisations that use this route to understand how it impacts their business operations, and how investment in the proposed link road would support their businesses to grow or operate more efficiently.

"These discussions would be used to form the basis of a qualitative report that will help build the case for this much-needed upgrade. Midlands Connect is urging local business to share their views over the next two weeks."

In August, Conservative MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge Gavin Williamson wrote to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to urge her to move the project forward, saying the continued use of local roads including the A460 through Featherstone was a "continuing problem" for residents.

National Highways says they are continuing with the preparatory works for the scheme during the review, and "remain committed" to the project. 

Midlands Connect Integrated Transport Programme Lead for Midlands Connect, Swati Mittal said: “We want to hear from businesses and we want to hear your experiences. We want to hear about the impact that local congestion and gridlock on the A460 and A449 can cause your firm on a daily basis.

 “Please do get in touch with us over the next couple of weeks. We need your views to highlight the critical demand to upgrade this vital link to the local road network. Your experiences and thoughts could make a massive difference, please do take five minutes to get in touch and let us know what the impact is on your business.”

The organisation has urged businesses affected to email them at mcadmin@midlandsconnect.uk to share their views.