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West Midlands
Widening of the M6 between junctions J11A and J19
Birmingham, Greater Manchester and North Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
As anyone who has whittled away hours of their life sitting in traffic on the M6 between J11A and J19 knows, there is perhaps no better example of the inadequacies of the planning system than this.
This section of the M6 services both the West Midlands and the North West and is an integral part of the UK’s road network.
Congestion currently costs the West Midlands an estimated £2.2 billion per annum with this projected to worsen dramatically as peak hour travel times increase by up to 35 per cent by 2011 in the West Midlands Local Transport Plan. Similarly, it is estimated in the next decade 30,000 jobs in the Greater Manchester region will be put at risk by rising congestion. The congested and overloaded M6 makes a significant contribution to these difficulties with one firm in North Staffordshire attributing costs of £15,000 to delays between J. 17-18 on one day in 2006.
The proposal to improve the situation involves widening the M6 to four lanes within those junctions. This will increase capacity and allow businesses to get to their destinations quicker.
The current proposal was supposed to be refined for Spring 2007 entry into the Department for Transport’s Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI).
However, as of June 2007 further decisions have been held up pending a report on the impact of a widened M6 on traffic growth, climate change and the local road network.It is not expected to be taken to public consultation until 2008, with a Preferred Scheme Announcement in 2008 at the earliest.
However, this would depend upon the final form of the scheme and whether it is actually taken forward. The Highways Agency does not expect to be able to publish draft Orders or the Environmental Statement before 2009/10. We do not expect the widening to be implemented before 2017.
This is simply not good enough.
To show your frustration at the failure of politicians and officials to get on with this crucial position please sign the petition.
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