Highways England will shortly be commencing works on junction 6 of the M5 which are due to last until Spring 2019.
I know that Worcestershire residents have long been suffering from continued works, particularly on the M5, and that is has been hard to see the benefits of these works when they seem to be followed so soon after by yet another project. However, these works on junction 6 are due to be the final phase in the ongoing scheme that has been taking place along this route, which has thus far included the upgrade to a Smart Motorway between junctions 4a to 6 and improvement works at junctions 5 and 7.
This phase of the works is intended to increase capacity of the junction and improve the flow of traffic. Highways England will be widening the roundabout, the slip roads and all the approaches and will also install two new sets of traffic signals at the junction at the A4538 Pershore Lane South and the A449. New road surface, road markings, signs and street lighting will also be put in place to improve the safety of the junction.
I have voiced my concern in the past about the need to ensure that bodies like Highways England consult with local residents and authorities when formulating any plans for works in the area and during my most recent meeting with Highways England, which took place last month, we discussed the upcoming works. I received assurances that Highways England has worked closely with Worcestershire County Council on the traffic management layout and I emphasised the need for the impact on local residents to be minimised as much as possible.
Single lane overnight closures will be put in place from Monday 23rd to assist with the installation of the traffic management and all traffic management will be in place by the morning of 5th May. The overnight closures w/c Monday 23rd April are detailed below in Table 1, the overnight closures w/c Monday 30th April are detailed below in Table 2 and the traffic management that will be in place for the duration of the works are detailed in Table 3.
Highways England is holding public information exhibitions where local residents can meet members of the project scheme and raise any queries about the scheme. These will be taking place at the following times:
- Thursday 19th April, Tesco Superstore - Warndon, Mill Wood Dr, Warndon, Worcester, WR4 0UJ, 12-8pm
- Friday 20th April, The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester WR1 3PD, 1-8pm
- Saturday 21st April, The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester WR1 3PD, 10am-4pm
I am in the process of arranging another meeting with Highways England to discuss these works in more detail and will remain in close communication as the works progress to relay any concerns raised by constituents and check that the works are progressing as scheduled.
Any constituents with queries about the works should contact Highways England directly on 0300 123 5000 or [email protected]
