National Highways has applied to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order for the £112.5m A46 Walsgrave junctions scheme.
A statutory consultation was held between between October and December 2023 on the proposed designs, which include:
- realigning the existing A46 dual carriageway through the existing junction, for a length of approximately 880m with a 50mph speed limit
- realigning the B4082 with a 40mph speed limit, running parallel to the A46 for approximately 910m and connecting into a proposed new junction
- a new dumbbell junction that would consist of two roundabouts connected via a new bridge over the A46.
The consultation revealed that 66% of responents agreed or strongly agreed that the Walsgrave junction scheme is needed, and 51% agreed or strongly agreed with the proposed route and junction arrangement.
Requests were received for a hospital link road to be provided at the same time as the junction upgrade
National Highways responded: 'The potential for a hospital link road has been included in Coventry City Council’s Local Plan (2017) as part of the Walsgrave Hill Farm site allocation. This sets out that land at this site would be used to deliver housing and a blue light access from the A46.
'The plans for the land, to the west of our scheme, are at a very early stage and the location of a link road would be decided once the layout of that development is agreed.
'This is why we’re working closely with the developer to ensure that our design accommodates a future access point for a dedicated blue light access route into University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.'
There were also requests to ensure the protection of Coombe Pool and the Coombe Abbey Country Park. National Highways highlighted that the designs 'ensure that we minimise our impacts on the designated heritage and environmental sites of Coombe Pool and Coombe Abbey Country Park'.
It is continuing to work on mitigating flood risks, and had already included drainage features to store water before discharging to the River Sowe and Smite Brook.
National Highways said: 'We’re committed to working through all of the concerns raised as part of our ongoing development of the scheme, making changes where needed.'
The A46 Walsgrave junction connects the A46 to the B4082 at Walsgrave and this junction is currently a three-arm priority roundabout.
The proposed A46 Coventry Junctions (Walsgrave) scheme comprises of a grade separated junction located to the north of the existing Walsgrave roundabout with the B4082 extending to the new junction.
It is part of National Highways’ commitment to improve the A46 ‘Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor’ between the M5 and the Humber Ports.
In project documents, National Highways said: 'The A46 has historically experienced safety issues, and the section south of Coventry was in the top 45% for total casualties and in the top 250 collision locations in England.
'The Coventry junctions scheme involves the upgrade of two junctions (Binley and Walsgrave) to provide relief from traffic congestion and to improve journey times by increasing the capacity on the A46 between the M6 and the M40.
'This will benefit both the strategic and local traffic needs and support future growth forecasts from Coventry City Council. Following the completion of work at Binley junction in 2023, Walsgrave junction is the last remaining roundabout on the A46 east of Coventry and north of Tollbar End junction, and as such it is a pinch point for traffic.'
The Inspectorate is due to decide by 12 December whether to accept the application for examination
The transport secretary would make the final decision on whether to grant permission to build the scheme.
National Highways expects construction to start in late 2026.
