M54 to M6 link road

This scheme will provide an improved link between the M54 and the M6. Currently, there's no direct motorway link from the M54 to the M6 north. This means high volumes of both long distance and local traffic use the local roads to travel this route.

Start date TBC

End date 2025-30

Cost £175-200 million

M54 to M6 link road

Latest updates

18 July 2023

An update on the M54 to M6 link road

In our last update, we explained that we were pausing our early preparation work for the M54 to M6 link road to allow time for further detailed designs.

Since then, we’ve been carrying out assessments so the building of the scheme has as little impact as possible on the local community and environment. As a result of these assessments, we’ve reviewed how we’ll work with our supply chain to build this scheme.

Consequently, BAM Nuttall Ltd’s involvement in this project will come to an end. We’re working with our supply chain to identify a new delivery partner for the scheme and we’ll set out when construction will start as soon as possible after that.

We remain committed to building this link road, which will bring a wealth of benefits to the area including more reliable journey times for motorists and enhanced facilities for local residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians.
21 October 2022

An update on the M54 to M6 link road

On 21 April 2022, the M54 to M6 Link Road Development Consent Order 2022 (the "Order") was granted under the Planning Act 2008 by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Since then, we’ve continued with our detailed design and carried out environmental surveys so we fully understand the environmental considerations and make sure we minimise the impact of our work on the local community and environment.

Ahead of main construction work we’d planned to deliver some advance work, including vegetation clearance and setting up our compound areas, between October and December 2022. This work will now commence in 2023 to allow our team to complete further detailed designs so we can deliver the scheme in the most efficient way.

We remain committed to building the scheme which will deliver many benefits to both the local area and motorists by separating long distance and local traffic and improving journey times.
07 July 2022

M54 to M6 link road – Summer 2022 newsletter

Today we published the first issue of the M54 to M6 link road newsletter.

In April, the Secretary of State for Transport approved the Development Consent Order for the project. Ahead of building the new road, we’ll start carrying out early work to prepare the site.

In this newsletter, we share information about the link road and how you can find out more about scheme as it progresses.

Download the newsletter now.
22 April 2022

Development Consent Order Decision

On Thursday 21 April, the Secretary of State for Transport approved the M54 to M6 Link Road project’s Development Consent Order, meaning we now have planning permission to build the new road. We’ll be coming back to you soon to let you know how we plan to build the project.

You can find out more on the Planning Inspectorate's website.
21 October 2021

Development Consent Order decision update

In October, the Secretary of State for transport has asked for more time to make a final decision on whether we can continue with our proposal to improve the link between the M54 and M6. While awaiting a decision on our Development Consent Order (DCO) application, we’re continuing design work and surveys so that if our DCO application is approved, we can begin construction as soon as possible. We’ll also be speaking to stakeholders and holding public information events so we can update you on our plans for how we would build the link road, should our DCO application be approved.
26 July 2021

Development Consent Order update

Our Development Consent Order application (basically our application to start building the scheme) has moved a step forward this week. The Planning Inspectorate has issued their Recommendation Report on our application to Government. The Secretary of State for Transport now has three months to make a decision.

In the meantime, we’re continuing with detailed design for the scheme and environmental surveys in the local area. You may see some activity on private land and road verges during this time.
11 May 2021

Development Consent Order – examination closed

The Development Consent Order (DCO) examination closed on 21 April 2021. The Planning Inspectorate (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State) is now writing the report.

During July, they will submit it to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will decide whether or not the scheme will go ahead. The Secretary of State’s decision is expected in October 2021.

While we wait for the Secretary of State’s decision, we’ll carry on with the detailed design for the scheme and how we will build it. We’ll also continue with environmental surveys over the coming months.
16 March 2021

Survey update

We’ve completed our archaeological trial trenching and ground investigation surveys along the proposed route of the M54 to M6 Link Road. Thanks for your patience and understanding whilst we’ve been carrying these out.

These surveys will help us develop our plans for how we will build the road, if the Secretary of State approves our application for development consent. We expect a decision in late 2021.

We'll continue to carry out environmental surveys throughout the coming months. You may see some activity on private land and road verges during this time.
18 January 2021
Survey work

From 18 January 2021, we’ll be carrying out the following surveys along the proposed route of the new M54 to M6 Link Road:
- ground investigation
- archaeological trial trenching
The ground investigation surveys are important. They will help us develop our plans about how we will build the road. The surveys will help us identify the kind of rocks and soils on which we will build the road, should the Secretary of State approve our development consent application.

The archaeological trial trench surveys will tell us if there are any archaeological remains in the area.

The surveys will last around 8 weeks and will take place between Junction 11 of the M6 and Junction 1 of the M54.

When we’re carrying out survey work on the motorway verges or junctions, we may need to close some lanes to keep you and our workers safe.

We’ll carry out any work on the road verges overnight, from 8pm to 5am, when there are fewer vehicles on the road, to reduce disruption.

Where we need to carry out surveys in areas that are nearer to residential areas, we’ll do this during the daytime. We’ll write to those residents closest to our work to let them know them when we’ll be working near them.
11 December 2020

Development consent order update

The Planning Inspectorate has reviewed and accepted the proposed changes we submitted following our recent consultation.

The Planning Inspectorate (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State) will now begin to examine the application in public hearings and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will decide on whether or not the scheme will go ahead. The planning inspectorate has six months to carry out the Examination.

This short video explains how we develop a new road scheme and how you can get involved.
19 October 2020

Proposed changes consultation

Our consultation on the proposed changes we’re making to the scheme closed on 21 September 2020.

After reviewing the feedback we received, we’ve decided to submit all seven changes to the Planning Inspectorate for review.

We submitted these on 9 October 2020. You can view the changes and the consultation statement on the Planning Inspectorate’s webpage. The Planning Inspectorate will review the changes and decide whether or not to accept them for Examination.
24 August 2020

Proposed changes consultation - from 24 August to 21 September 2020

We’ve had further discussions with local authorities, parish councils, stakeholders and landowners about improvements we can make to the scheme in our application for development consent. Following this, we’ve identified some changes to how we may build the scheme.

We’re proposing to make seven changes, which aim to further reduce the impacts of the scheme on the environment and the community. We would like your views on these proposed changes.

Please note, we’re only consulting on the changes we’re proposing, not on the need for any further changes or the scheme as a whole. For further details about these changes, please read the consultation brochure.

The consultation runs from 24 August 2020 to 11:59pm 21 September 2020.

To complete the consultation response form, please visit our consultation on citizenspace.

See more updates

Project information

Following consultation, we have selected a preferred route that provides the highest economic benefits, will provide the greatest journey time savings, has the least impact on ancient woodland, provides the best value for money to taxpayers and is preferred by most of the respondents to the options consultation.

As well as providing an improved link, we also plan to replace M54 J1 and M6 J11.

Road users wanting to access the M6 north or M6 Toll must use local roads such as the A460, A449 and A5. This means high volumes of both long-distance and local traffic use the local roads to travel this route. A large volume of local and long-distance traffic uses the A460, which passes through the villages of Featherstone, Hilton and Shareshill.

The A460 has just one lane in each direction with numerous junctions and stretches of road with a 30mph speed limit. It was not designed for the amount and type of traffic currently using it. This results in delays, congestion and high accident rates. There are also air quality issues in the villages along the A460 due to the high volume of traffic.

The A460 currently carries about 26,500 vehicles each day with heavy goods vehicles making up about 10% of this figure. When the proposed link road is open, it could reduce traffic on the A460 to around 4,000 vehicles each day. This will create a safer and less congested environment for local road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Improving the link between the M54 and the M6 will:

Provide additional capacity and relieve traffic congestion on the A460, A449, and A5, providing more reliable journey times
enhance facilities for local residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians
improve customer journeys from east to west and north to south. This will support local economic growth for Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Cannock and Tamworth by improving traffic flow and enhanced east-west and north-south routes
keep the right traffic on the right roads by separating local traffic from long-distance and commuter traffic