A MAJOR project to create a dual carriageway linking Leamington and the M40 has got off to a good start say council chiefs.
Work started in May on the £37.6million Warwickshire County Council-led project which will see the entire length of the busy A452 Europa Way corridor between the motorway and the Leamington Shopping Park roundabout become a dual carriageway.
The entire project, which is set to take around six years to complete, has been developed alongside the Warwick District Local Plan which has allocated approximately 4,500 homes to be built along the route by 2029. Some of these homes have already been built with others underway.
Work between Olympus Avenue and Leamington Shopping Park roundabout to build a new signalled junction to provide access to the Myton Green housing development, along with widening 450 metres of Europa Way, is expected to be completed next September.
Work to the south of the Gallows Hill roundabout, which involves building a signalled junction and widening 400 metres of Europa Way, is expected to be completed in June. The new junction will provide access into the developments on either side of Europa Way.
Both schemes are being funded by the developers of the new homes, and the county council is working with them to minimise traffic disruption.
A weekend closure of Europa Way will be needed between the Greys Mallory roundabout and the Gallows Hill/Harbury Lane roundabout in the first weekend of November to carry out road crossings for utility services. The road will be closed from 8am on Saturday November 3 and is expected to reopen by 6am the following Monday.
County transport spokesman Coun Jeff Clarke, said: “The works on Europa Way have got off to a good start and whilst there will inevitably be some travel disruption during construction we are working hard to keep this to an absolute minimum.
“This area is key to Warwickshire’s economy and it needs a robust transport infrastructure if we are to attract and retain businesses and the employment they bring.
“The transport improvements around Europa Way will benefit both residents and businesses by reducing congestion and journey times, while the sustainable travel improvements will give people a greater range of travel options.”
Warwick District Council development spokesman Alan Rhead has stressed the importance for residents of the project.
Coun Rhead said:“These improvements will help to achieve the district’s housing requirements whilst tackling the congestion issues on Europa Way which have frustrated road users for many years.
“This ambitious development around Europa Way will include, not only improvements to the transport infrastructure, but will also see funding for three new primary schools, a secondary school, new health and GP facilities, leisure facilities, new footpaths and cycleways as well as a 62 hectare country park along the Tach Brook, supporting this new community.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/europaway for further updates on the project, including planned road works.
