A PLANNED new road linking Stoneleigh to Birmingham Airport is vital for the continued economic prosperity of the region say business leaders.
The proposed three phase development will get underway with the construction of a new a gyratory layout with two bridge roundabout at the Stoneleigh junction of the A46 between Coventry and Kenilworth.
It is set to be completed by the end of 2019 and highway chiefs say it will tackle congestion and safety issues at the junction while also improving access to the University of Warwick and Stoneleigh Park.
If funding can be secured two further phases would see the building of the A46 Link Road over the next ten years.
Phase 2 would aim to improve access to the university and the surrounding business parks and other employment areas through a new road linking the A46 at Stoneleigh with Westwood Heath via the A429 Kenilworth Road.
Highway chiefs say this would also help reduce the use of minor roads such as Kenilworth’s Crackley Lane for traffic en route to the university and surrounding area.
Phase three would see a further continued link of the road towards either the A45 or A452 – offering an improved link between Coventry and Warwickshire and the area around Birmingham Airport and the NEC.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is imperative that we continue to plan ahead to ensure that we are delivering the infrastructure which will allow our economy to carry on growing.
“We have already done that at key points across our area and this funding will allow the development of detailed plans for a second phase of improvement of the road system in and around the University of Warwick, and hopefully convince Government of the case for further considerable investment.
Warwickshire County Council is holding a number of public ‘drop-in’ events, starting next week, for people to comment on the A46 Stoneleigh junction scheme. Engineers will be on hand to answer questions.
The sessions take place at:
• Kenilworth Library on July 4 and 5, from 9am to 5pm
• Coventry St Martin’s Church, Green Lane on July 3 and 8, from 10am to 5pm
• Stoneleigh Village Hall on July 11 and 12, from 9.30am to 4.30pm
County council transport spokesman Coun Jeff Clarke said: “The Stoneleigh junction was constructed a long time ago and is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of modern traffic flow. Traffic levels have changed considerably since its first construction and this is all too evident in the amount of congestion that regularly builds around the Stoneleigh Road and Dalehouse Lane during rush hour. These improvements will be massive in terms of overall traffic flow and easing the current levels of congestion and will see the Stoneleigh junction fit for the challenges of the future.
“I would urge any residents likely impacted by the improvement works at Stoneleigh junction to visit their nearest information event to find out more.”
Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/a46linkroad for more information on the the Stoneleigh junction improvements and the wider A46 Link Road Scheme.
