Green-light for plans to tackle Birmingham Road congestion - The Stratford Observer

Green-light for plans to tackle Birmingham Road congestion

Stratford Editorial 27th Oct, 2017 Updated: 27th Oct, 2017   0

THE GREEN light has finally been given to tackle congestion on the traffic-choked Birmingham Road.

The Department for Transport has this week given £2.4million to Warwickshire County Council, which will fund the remainder of the £3.5million project to improve the notorious main road linking the A46 to Stratford town centre.

The scheme is a key element of the Stratford Transport Strategy, published at the beginning of the year, which sets out Straford District Council and the county council’s shared future transport framework for the town and surrounding area.

Work on the Birmingham Road scheme is set to get underway in the new year, and will include alterations to the existing road layout.




Improvements will include a new slip road to the Tesco store, converting the existing two-lane outbound section to inbound from St Peter’s Way to Joseph Way, and widening two lanes between the Regal Road roundabout and Hamlet Way.

There will also be improvements made to cycleways and footpaths towards the town centre, together with signs warning drivers of congestion, delays and advising on alternative routes.


Stratford District Council housing spokesman Coun Peter Richards said: “This is fantastic news for Stratford and a clear demonstration of how joint working between Stratford District Council and Warwickshire County Council can reap rewards.

“The Birmingham Road Scheme has been high on our agenda for some time and we are very pleased to receive support from Government to help relieve the traffic congestion in our town.”

County transport spokesman Coun Jeff Clarke also welcomed news of the funding.

He said: “The funds will help us deliver improvements on a key gateway to the town and will ease congestion, improve air quality and support economic growth throughout Stratford.”

Earlier this year there was concern the improvements might not go-ahead after a bid for funding from Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) failed.

That could have proved a nightmare scenario for drivers with a forecast that average journey times along the road would double if nothing was done.

The Stratford Transport Strategy also includes proposals for a western relief road between the A46 and A3400 Shipston

Road, including an additional crossing of the Avon, and a relief road around the eastern side of the town.

It also includes restricting HGVs on the historic Clopton Bridge, reducing traffic levels in the town centre, and improving public transport, including the introduction of electric buses.

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