Midlands Connect unveils “20-year vision” to relieve congestion on motorways

Midlands Connect – the pan-regional transport partnership for the UK’s Midlands region – has unveiled its “bold 20-year vision” to relieve congestion on the motorways.

The ‘Midlands Motorway Hub’ report, completed in collaboration with Highways England, outlines 10 measures which it believes will both help “decongest” the motorway network and grow the regional economy.

In a statement issued today (6 June), Midlands Connect said the key recommendations proposed are:

1. Estimated time savings signage on the M6 to encourage better use of the M6 Toll during incidents and peak times.
2. Identifying opportunities for a Strategic Park and Ride scheme as an alternative to short motorway journeys
3. Examining the economic case for a Western Strategic Route linking M5/M6
4. Widening the M42 from Junction 3A to Junction 7
5. Creating an A46 Expressway
6. Further enhancements on M42 Junction 6
7. Targeted improvements on M6 Junction 2, 3 and 4
8. Ramp metering (installing traffic lights) on M5 at Junction 1 and Junction 2
9. Developing a smart motorway on M6, M1 to Junction 2.
10. Test the potential for an HGV Platooning trial in the Midlands (Post&Parcel has written about this initiative previously).

Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect, said: “Consumer behaviour and habits have changed enormously in recent years, spurred on by growth of the digital economy.  This continues to have a major and growing impact on our transport infrastructure which historically has failed to keep up with the demands being placed on our road and rail networks. By working closely with businesses and their representatives, we therefore want to ensure that Midlands Connect’s long-term strategy for the Midlands Motorway Hub leads to lasting investment that maintains the Midlands’ place as the beating heart of the British economy.”