‘VITAL’ and long-awaited traffic congestion-busting schemes in the Rugby area have been backed by the government.
Proposed upgrades to Gibbet Hill roundabout on the A5 and the Avon Mill roundabout on the A426 have been included in the government’s road infrastructure strategy.
The Gibbet Hill upgrade – which would see capacity increased – is set to be developed and included in the pipeline of schemes for delivery in the 2030s as part of wider improvements to the A5 corridor.
The Department for Transport has instructed National Highways to develop the scheme over the years ahead so that construction can start in the next Road Period 2031-36.
The Department will also continue to support the A426/A4071 Avon Mill/Hunters Lane Improvements Scheme and its development, subject to the usual business case and approvals process. Warwickshire County Council (WCC) will be responsible for progressing the scheme through the business case process for formal consideration.
Rugby MP John Slinger said: “I know just how long and frustrating the queues of traffic can be towards the Avon Mill roundabout by Starbucks.
“The junction desperately needs unblocking, and I welcome this government’s continued support for the scheme.”
He offered his full support to WCC in progressing the plan, and hoped to be kept informed of developments.
The Gibbett Hill junction between Rugby and Lutterworth is a notorious bottleneck.
He added: “The Gibbet Hill roundabout is in an area of high growth, and when the M1/M6 are blocked, it becomes particularly congested. Its upgrade being included in the road strategy is welcome news for my constituents, who regularly tell me about their traffic challenges.
“I have repeatedly met with ministers and written to them to raise this upgrade scheme. The government’s commitment to investing in our road infrastructure has meant some positive news for our area, for our people, our businesses and economy.
“I have worked with others, including my neighbouring MP Alberto Costa regarding Gibbet Hill, and worked with councillors from both Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council as well as members of the public who have contacted me.
“Road safety and transport are top priorities of mine – please get in contact if there is a particular road safety concern I can raise.”
The long-gestating A426/A4071 Improvement Scheme aims to ease traffic flow by replacing the Avon Mill roundabout with a new one which would connect to the Avon Mill junction via a short dual carriageway on a new bridge to be built over the River Avon.
A second new bridge would be built for a new footpath and cycleway connecting the A426 Leicester Road to Wood Street, and crossings on the A426 Leicester Road would be improved to provide safer access to Avon Valley School.
Midlands Connect, the transport body for the region, has been building a case for government funds to improve the Gibbet Hill roundabout on the border between Warwickshire and Leicestershire, which it says is at ‘critical mass’ and needs ‘urgent attention’ to prevent increasing congestion.
