A NEW dual carriageway to halve peak journey times along the A4440 and pave the way for up to 5,600 new homes will be built after the Government confirmed a £55million funding bid had been given the green light.
Roads minister Jesse Norman has approved the cash for the Southern Link Road which alongside the existing Carrington Bridge will provide much needed congestion relief for residents and businesses, while boosting jobs and economic growth by transforming access to the M5.
This will also improve access to Birmingham International Airport and Worcestershire Parkway Station, creating better journeys for commuters and supporting the creation of more than 6,000 jobs.
“The Government is investing record amounts to improve journeys in our towns and cities, boosting local economies,” Mr Norman said
“This new road will help improve everyday journeys in and around Worcester, easing traffic for local people in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, as well as supporting thousands of new homes and jobs.”
The dual carriageway will connect the M5 to the west of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and provides a congestion-busting bypass to Worcester city centre, set to cut average journey times along the A4440 in both directions during peak hours in the opening year.
The bypass will also help improve air quality, and will also see two new bridges, new cycle and pedestrian routes as well as junction improvements.
Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for Economy and Infrastructure, Coun Ken Pollock, said: “This is great news for Worcestershire. We welcome this announcement of funding approval which paves the way for the final phase of the scheme to fully dual the Southern Link Road from the M5 to the Powick Roundabout.
“Works on this important and much needed final phase will see Carrington Bridge extended and 1.5km of viaduct being built between the Ketch and Powick roundabouts. We look forward to sharing further details about this final phase which also includes an improved Ketch Viewpoint and underpass in addition to a footbridge over Hams Way in the next couple of weeks.”
Worcestershire County Council is contributing £7.5million to the £62 million scheme.
