£8.3 million to boost West Midlands transport links
Major funding announced for new A45 bridge in Solihull.
The Department for Transport has agreed to fund a new bridge which will improve links to 3 of the West Midlands’ economic powerhouses, Baroness Kramer has announced.
Building work on the new A45 South Bridge in Solihull can start after the government agreed to provide over £8 million in funding. The new bridge will significantly improve a transport link that carries 50,000 vehicles a day.
The structure will directly serve Birmingham International Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Jaguar Land Rover and other businesses which generate over £2.5 billion per year and support over 80,000 jobs.
Baroness Kramer said:
The A45 serves important sites including Birmingham International Airport, the NEC, and employers such as Jaguar Land Rover. This new bridge will reduce congestion and improve safety, and include new pedestrian and cyclist facilities.
The £8.3 million the government is putting into this project is part of our wider economic plan of investment in our local and national infrastructure to help drive economic growth.
The new bridge will replace the existing 150 year old structure carrying the westbound carriageway of the A45 over the West Coast Main Line. It will create an extra westbound running lane and an improved access slip road to Birmingham International Airport. A temporary bridge will be created during the work, allowing the route to remain open throughout.
The main works are due to start in January 2015 with completion in August 2016. The department will provide up to £8.3 million towards the full project cost of £12 million.
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