Huge plans for new-look A46 Walsgrave junction backed by most people

Claire Harrison
·2-min read
National Highways is planning to upgrade Walsgrave Junction on the A46
National Highways is planning to upgrade Walsgrave Junction on the A46 -Credit:National Highways


Public results have been revealed into plans for a new-look A46 Walsgrave junction. Locals were asked to have their say on the plans for a grade separated junction, which National Highways says will relieve the current 'bottleneck' scenario faced by motorists and pave the way for a free flowing A46 carriageway.

It also says the new-look junction will also enable road users to enter and exit the local road network. The plans were put out to public consultation and now the results of this have been revealed.

National Highways says that 51 per cent of respondents said they agreed with the proposed route and junction, with 20 per cent not in favour. The remainder did not answer or opted for ‘don’t know’.

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It said some people expressed concern around the safety of the existing junction, particularly if trying to join the A46 from the B4082. It says that the proposals will bring the traffic onto the road via safer slip roads rather than waiting for a gap in sometimes fast moving traffic.

There were also requests for a hospital link road to be included in the upgrade. National Highways says that a link is part of Coventry City Council’s Local Plan which has allocated land for housing and a blue light access from the A46.

National Highways is planning to upgrade Walsgrave Junction on the A46
National Highways is planning to upgrade Walsgrave Junction on the A46 -Credit: National Highways

But there are no firm or funded plans in place for this as yet. Speaking about the consultation results, Emma Winter, National Highways project manager, said: "We are grateful to each and every person who took time to see us or respond to the consultation. It is important that we take on board the views of local communities and drivers which will further help us shape this significant upgrade.

“The A46 is a key link between the East and West Midlands and connects Coventry and Warwickshire to the motorway network. But the congestion at Walsgrave is impacting on journey times, communities and businesses.

“Our planned improvements will alleviate that congestion and provide an economic boost for communities across the region."

What happens next?

National Highways says the results will be used to help 'further shape' proposals and a consultation report will form part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application.

This DCO, which asks for consent to to undertake a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) has to be made to the Planning Inspectorate. It will then consider the application and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will decide whether development consent is granted.

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