Press release

£8.3 million to tackle congestion in Birmingham

A452 Chester Road improvements receive final approval and over £8 million in funding.

• From: Department for Transport and Baroness Kramer
• Published: 24 October 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Work can now start on vital improvements to the road layout of the A452 Chester Road in Birmingham after receiving final approval from Transport Minister Baroness Kramer today (24 October 2013).

Work is needed to tackle congestion on this regionally strategic route; improve traffic flow and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said:

This road carries heavy traffic creating poor access, environmental problems and a lack of reliable journey times for public transport, freight operations and private cars.

These improvements will improve the network for road users; improve bus journey times and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.

As well as relieving congestion the scheme will also help the city retain existing businesses and encouraging future investment and regeneration in the area.

The £8.3 million we are putting into this scheme shows that the coalition government is serious about investing in the infrastructure the country needs to drive economic growth.

The scheme comprises:

• improvements to M6 Junction 5 roundabout – traffic signals and carriageway widening
• provision of a new signalised junction at Chester Road and Berrandale Road
• improvements to Chester Road and Fort Parkway roundabout – traffic signals and carriageway widening
• widening of existing dual carriageway to 3 lanes between Chester Road / Fort Parkway and Chester Road / Kingsbury Road roundabouts
• improvements to Chester Road and Kingsbury Road and to Chester Road and Tyburn Road roundabouts

The scheme was one of those given funding approval in late 2011 as part of the Spending Review process. Work can now start on the construction with the project scheduled to complete in spring 2015.

Notes to editors:

Today’s (24 October 2013) announcement grants Full (final) Approval to the Birmingham scheme enabling work to begin.

The department will provide a maximum of £8.328 million towards the full scheme cost of £11.703 million.

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Published 24 October 2013