New route to M6 northbound from Powys for first time
The UK Government says the go-ahead for the project will mean drivers across the Midlands, and those heading there from Mid Wales, will see faster journeys and better links to key economic hubs.
The £200 million development will see the introduction of a 2.5km (1.6-mile) road between junction one of the M54 and junction 11 of the M6.
The new link will be between the M6 at Laney Green in Staffordshire to junction 1 at Featherstone.
Government funded transport body Midlands Connect said the link road would lead to an 82 per cent drop in traffic along the A460 which currently connects the motorways.
At present, Cannock Road carries approximately 23,000 vehicles each day, 28 per cent of which are freight vehicles.
Local roads will also continue to be supported.
'Transport is the backbone of our economy, which is why we are giving them the record funding boost they need, putting taxpayer's money where it matters most and making every-day journeys easier,' said Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander.
'With over £92 billion investment, including the biggest ever boost for city regions in the north and Midlands, we're delivering the schemes that fast-track economic growth and jobs, connect communities and will help us build 1.5 million new homes, as we deliver our Plan for Change."
The new road is expected to reduce journey times, saving commuters, business and freight thousands of hours every week.
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The government says the scheme will also support economic growth in Shropshire.
There is currently no link from the M54 onto the M6 northbound, with 26,500 vehicles having to queue on the A460, with a 30mph speed limit, and HGVs making up 10 per cent of that traffic.
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