Proposals to improve the A50/A500 corridor have been given a resounding 'thumbs up' by local residents.
New research, carried out by YouGov for Midlands Connect, shows that residents living in Staffordshire approve of the plans to upgrade the busy stretch after reading a brief summary of the proposals.
The highest level of support was shown in the Staffordshire Moorlands where 77 per cent of those surveyed approved, followed by 73 per cent in East Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme and 65 per cent Stafford.
The document outlined how improvements in the route could add £12 billion to the region's economy over the next 60 years, help to unlock more than 12,000 jobs and reduce journey times by 30 minutes.
The organisation, along with local authorities and other partners, want the government to give National Highways the funding for the schemes over the next three Road Investment Strategies (RIS). If successful, work could start on the first phase of the plans as early as 2025.
Swati Mittal, head of roads at Midlands Connect, said: "Over the last two years, Midlands Connect has undertaken intensive analysis to help understand the A50/A500 corridor and working to identify current and future traffic problems, building the case for investment.
"It is great to see our work being given the thumbs up and being supported by residents to such a degree. This research will now play a key role in helping to make the case for investment in the A50/A500.
"Midlands Connect will now work with Government and national bodies like National Highways to seek their support in progressing at pace with our proposals ensuring the businesses, communities, towns and cities it serves are able to reach their potential and benefit from sustainable growth, healthier living and prosperity for decades to come."
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: "The upgrade of the A50/A500 corridor will make a major contribution to the future growth not only of Staffordshire but also the Midlands and wider UK economy.
"As a county council we have set out our economic development priorities which includes improving our strategic transport routes.
"The planned improvements form part of a wider proposal to enhance the productivity of a corridor which is home to many of the country's leading manufacturers that has huge potential to boost the local and national economy. We're pleased they have received overwhelming backing from local communities.
"We look forward to working closely with Midlands Connect and other council partners to deliver the plans set out in the report."
Project champion for the North Midlands Manufacturing Corridor, Kate Griffiths MP, said: "Upgrades to the A50/A500 corridor are vital to improving not only local connectivity but also regional connectivity too and unleashing all the economic benefits that would be unlocked from investing in this critical trunk road.
"I know that the ambitious proposals set out in the Midlands Connect report to improve the central section of the A50, which passes through Uttoxeter, have strong public support locally. It is therefore not surprising to me that positive approval for these possible plans has been reflected in these survey results.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Midlands Connect, Staffordshire County Council and others as we now make that same case to Government to level-up the A50 and deliver these important upgrades to our local infrastructure."
Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Aaron Bell MP added: "I am not surprised to see such strong support in Newcastle-under-Lyme for these proposals, since traffic and delays on the A50/A500 can be a major inconvenience for my residents.
"I look forward to working with Midlands Connect to push for this important investment into our local infrastructure."
