Regional transport body Midlands Connect has released a major report outlining a series of improvements to the A50/A500 corridor which will help to reduce congestion, support businesses and promote greener transport use.
The report, called Levelling-up Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Derby & Derbyshire: The road to success, outlines a series of strategic recommendations for long-awaited upgrades which Midlands Connect claim are 'badly needed' to alleviate bottlenecks along the 90km stretch.
Large manufacturers such as JCB, Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Alstom rely on this key east/west route – which links Derby, Nottingham and Leicester to Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and the North West – to keep supply chains moving and provide links to international markets.
But traffic congestion on the A50/A500 threatens to stand in the way of business growth. The route sees between 60,000 to 90,000 vehicles passing along it every single day.
Midlands Connect says the plans could add £12 billion to the region's economy over the next 60 years - and help to unlock more than 12,000 jobs.
READ MORE: Government and Midlands Connect sign landmark 'Collaboration Agreement'
Suggested improvements include resolving congestion on the stretch between Blythe Bridge (Staffordshire) to the M6 at junctions 15 and 16 (through Stoke-on-Trent), to improve a better flow of traffic on the motorway and the A500 as well as enhancements at Sideway to make traffic flow more smoothly – including changes to the roundabout and lanes at the junction.
Other recommendations include enhancing the existing roundabouts at Sudbury and Blythe Bridge, improving the A38/A50 Toyota junction, widening part of the A50 south of Derby – between junctions 2 (Chellaston) and 3 (A514) - and build a new link road between the A50 (near junction 1) and A42 (near junction 14).
Midlands Connect is working with local authorities and other partners to help turn its plans into reality. The organisations 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.
Sir John Peace, chair of Midlands Connect, said: "This report released today outlines why upgrades to the A50/A500 manufacturing corridor are crucial both to keep international markets open after Brexit and to reduce emissions by enabling more direct and efficient journeys.
"This suggested strategic enhancement plan from Midlands Connect is based on comprehensive research which proves just how economically important this 90km East-West stretch of road between Crewe and Derby is.
"Improvements will also make it easier for business and local communities to prepare for a future where electric vehicles and alternative fuels become the norm."
Kate Griffiths, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter, said: "I know that our region is an extremely important part of the UK's wider economy. These improvements to the A50/A500 are vital for local infrastructure to drive future growth and better connectivity for residents.
"Midlands Connect's suggested strategy to upgrade this road corridor will make it easier for multinational businesses in constituencies along the corridor to trade, import and export, as well as opening up new opportunities for employment.
"I am committed to working with Government and my MP colleagues to start on this innovative programme as soon as possible."
Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, Philip White, said: "The upgrade of the A50/A500 corridor is vital to the future growth of Staffordshire and our neighbours.
"As a county council we have set out our economic development priorities which includes improving our strategic transport routes. One of our key strengths is our location being at the heart of the country – with east/west connectivity becoming ever more important.
"Reducing congestion and ensuring there is good traffic flow means we can increase investment in our area, support our existing businesses to expand and new ones to be set up, whilst create more opportunities for our communities."
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Mark Turner, chief operating officer at JCB, added: "JCB is a major, multinational company in the area which continues to create jobs and make a significant investment in Staffordshire.
Like many other big employers based along the A50 corridor, we want to see continued investment and growth, helping to make the A50 more resilient, accessible and reliable 365 days a year. We support Midlands Connect's proposals for improvement."
