Worcestershire LEP has welcomed the news that Government has agreed a £1.65 million improvement to the A46 trunk road through Ashchurch and to M5 Junction 9 at Tewkesbury.
Although the section of road is within Gloucestershire, it is a vital link for communications between the South West and south Worcestershire. Improvements will include reconstruction of the Ashton Cross junction where traffic lights currently cause long queues of traffic, particularly in peak periods.
The funding has been announced as part of the Highways Agency “Pinch Point” Programme phase 3, following lobbying by Worcestershire LEP and Worcestershire County Council to Highways Agency officials earlier last year.
Commenting on the good news, Worcestershire LEP chairman Peter Pawsey said “In responding to the Highways Agency call for proposals to be included in the further phases of the Pinch Point Programme, we identified both the need for a long term improvement solution to M5 Junction 6 and for improvements to A46 trunk road between the county boundary and M5 Junction 9 at Ashchurch/Tewkesbury”
“Although the latter section of road is within Gloucestershire, it is of vital importance to residents and businesses in Evesham and the south of Worcestershire, as well as to others further afield.
“We therefore made a formal request to the Highways Agency for the necessary funding to be included in Phase 3 of the programme and we also engaged the support of our colleagues within the Gloucestershire LEP.”
“Having been successful in securing circa £14 million funding for the reconstruction of M5 Junction 4 under Phase 2 of the Pinch Point Programme, we are delighted at this further good news for the road infrastructure in and around the county.
“We are also pleased to know that Worcestershire County Council and the Highways Agency are jointly funding preliminary design studies for the long term improvements necessary to M5 Junction 6 at Sixways.”