A CONGESTION-busting upgrade to the A46 near Coventry has been given the green light.
Highways England has been given the go-ahead by transport minister Grant Shapps to start work on the major A46 Coventry Junctions scheme at the TGI island near Binley.
The £61m scheme, part of Highways England’s A46 Coventry Junctions upgrade project, includes building a flyover to separate local and commuter traffic at the junction, described by Highways England as ‘one of the region’s biggest bottlenecks’.
A spokesperson added the improvements would lead to shorter journey times, increased road safety, and better connectivity across the Midlands.
Highways England programme leader Anita Prashar said: “The A46 is an important strategic route in the Midlands, connecting Coventry and Warwickshire to the motorway network.
“Upgrading the junction at Binley will help make everyday journeys easier and more reliable and we welcome the Secretary of State’s go-ahead for the improvement.”
Simon Statham, head of technical programmes at Midlands Connect, said the TGI island had become a major bottleneck which was holding back logistics firms that rely on the A46, and major manufacturers located along the corridor.
He said: “This chronic congestion holds back productivity, costing people time and businesses money.
“Midlands Connect has long advocated for this upgrade as part of a bigger package of improvements along the corridor. We have spoken to hundreds of businesses who have told us how congestion is one of the biggest barriers to growth.
“Idling traffic also increases harmful emissions, reducing air quality. The economic, social and environmental case for making a series of improvements at major pinch points along the A46 is unequivocal.”
Jim O’Boyle, board lead of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Transport and Infrastructure Business Group, said: “This scheme will be welcomed by businesses and commuters who regularly use the A46 and experience the frustrations of long queues at peak times.
“A further boost will be an improvement in the air quality in the area because it is vital we tackle this subject now otherwise it will only get worse for future generations.”
Main construction work is scheduled to start at Binley later this year, with the junction expected to open in 2022.
Work to develop plans for Walsgrave junction, the second phase of the A46 Coventry Junctions scheme, is ongoing.
Visit www.highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a46-coventry-junctions-upgrade for more information and updates about the project. Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEByr-yZG0A#action=share to watch a video showing how traffic will flow at the upgraded junction.
