Midlands Connect and five Midlands Council leaders are urging the kick-start of a key transport scheme linking the M54 and M6 motorways.

Plans involve the construction of a new road connecting Junction 1 of the M54 to Junction 11 of the M6 and in a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, Telford & Wrekin Council, Staffordshire County Council, City of Stoke-on-Trent Council, South Staffordshire Council and Shropshire Council, along with Midlands Connect, have collectively urged the transport secretary to visit the area and see first-hand the potential benefits this project could deliver.

Councillor Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council said: “This proposal has been milling around since 2014. It’s time for action; approvals are in place and major work has already started on site. We know we can reply on a swift decision from government to make this scheme a priority in its spending review.

“Our partnership shows unwavering support for the project that even government-owned National Highways has said; ‘Will deliver economic growth, journey time savings and offers the best value for money to taxpayers.’ We invite the transport secretary to visit so we can facilitate a speedy decision and unlock the obvious benefits for the Midlands.”  

According to Midlands Connect, a new direct connection would remove over a million cars and lorries from local roads, improve connectivity, reduce congestion and emissions by diverting trucks from urban A-roads, and support long-term regional investment.