Solihull residents and commuters are being invited to share their views on a new multi-modal improvement scheme being developed to tackle congestion and reduce journey times along a key section of the A452 (Chester Road).
The proposed scheme will aim to improve the highway capacity between the roundabouts with Moorend Avenue and Coleshill Heath Road in Chelmund’s Cross. This key section of road currently experiences frequent vehicle queues and delays, particularly around the Hedingham Grove junction.
Current early designs for the scheme convert sections of the single lane carriageway into a two-lane dual carriageway and a realignment of the Coleshill Heath roundabout in order to reduce congestion along the A452 Chester Road corridor. The new concept design also includes improvements for cyclists and pedestrians by creating a safe and fully segregated new cycle route, providing additional crossings and resurfacing existing footways.
A six-week public consultation on the scheme launches today and runs until Monday 18 March. The consultation material is now available to view on the Council’s dedicated engagement platform, Your Voice Solihull, where residents and commuters along the route are encouraged to find out more and complete a short five-minute survey about the improvement scheme.
Councillor Ken Hawkins, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “This key section of road has significance both at a strategic and local level, serving as a main diversion route to the nearby M6 and providing access to some of Solihull’s most important economic assets, including Birmingham Business Park, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport and, in the future, HS2.
“One of the defining policies set out in our recently refreshed transport strategy ‘Solihull Connected’ is to deliver highway schemes that address congestion hotspots, address community concerns around traffic impacts and unlock development opportunities.
“Our latest proposals seek to deliver on this policy by focusing on tackling congestion while also improving our cycling and walking infrastructure, leading to reduced journey times and improved local air quality.
“I would encourage all the Solihull residents and commuters who regularly use this route to find out more about the proposed scheme and to help shape its development by taking part in this consultation.”
Funding for the final scheme will come via central government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). This funding programme aims to deliver transformational change through investments in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in some of England’s largest city regions, including the West Midlands. The release of CRSTS funding will be overseen by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
