Progress report

Our 6-week consultation on our proposals to provide an improved link between the M54 and the M6 has now closed. Thank you for taking part. Please take this short survey about the recent consultation process and how we can improve the way we communicate with you.

We recently completed early ground investigation surveys in locations around the proposed route of the new M54 to M6 link road. This gave us additional valuable information on the type of soils and rock below ground as well as identifying the exact routes of underground services such as electricity, cable and water. We also carried out surveys to better understand the drainage system in the area. The results of the surveys will help us inform the next phase of the design.

What's next?

We’ll review all the suggestions and comments received during the consultation. We’ll take time to analyse and consider your feedback when making further refinements to the proposed design and to develop our mitigation measures. We’ll set out a summary of the responses, and describe how our proposals have been informed by and influenced by them, in a consultation report. This will form part of our Development Consent Order application and will also be available to the public once we submit the application early next year.

This is a preliminary design video for illustrative purposes only.

If your property may be affected by one of our schemes

Sometimes the development of one of our road improvement schemes creates an impact on the properties of people living along or close to the route of the scheme. There are a number of examples where this may be the case – for instance, the sale value of a property may be adversely affected by the change in the environment around it. This could be because of additional noise from a new road, or a significant change in view from the property.

We have produced a series of documents that explain your rights in circumstances such as these, and set out examples in which you may be entitled to compensation. Please choose from the list of publications below to find out more:

• Your property and Highways England road proposals
• A guide to Part I claims
• Your property and compulsory purchase
• Your property and discretionary purchase
• Your property and blight

Timeline

Why we need this scheme

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. The government identified the need for this scheme in its 2014 Road Investment Strategy.

The current direct link from the M54 to the M6 is the A460, which passes through the villages of Featherstone and Shareshill. The A460 suffers significant congestion and high accident rates due to large traffic volumes, journey times are almost doubled during peak hours, and there are air quality issues in the villages and along the route.

An alternative route is the A449/A5. However, this is also congested and has a number of junctions along its length.

Aims

Improving the link between the M54 and the M6 will:

• relieve traffic congestion on the A460, A449, and A5, providing more reliable journey times
• enhance facilities for local residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians
• 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 business traffic

Roadworks and Events for England

The latest incident information for England's motorway and trunk routes provided by Highways England