Upgrades for the A46 Walsgrave junction as part of the £112m Coventry Junctions scheme have been granted a development consent order (DCO) by Lord Hendy, on behalf of the secretary of state for transport Heidi Alexander.

Forming part of the Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor between the M5 and Humber Ports, the Walsgrave junction connects the A46 to the B4082.

Currently, the junction uses a three-arm priority roundabout, which National Highways stated causes ‘substantial congestion' in the area. Following the upgrade, the new-look junction will allow for a ‘free-flowing A46 carriageway' whilst still allowing drivers to enter and exit the local road network. 

These planned works follow an already completed upgrade to the A46 Binley junction, which converted the junction from a signalised roundabout to a grade-separated junction and opened to traffic in 2022.

Categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008, the upgrade is expected to start construction this autumn, with the junction being open to traffic by 2028.

National Highways project manager, Emma Winter, said: ‘Motorways and major A roads play a key role in keeping the UK economy moving, carrying a third of all traffic and two-thirds of freight. The A46 is a major trade corridor between the South West, the Midlands and the North, which is why we need to remove this bottleneck on the outskirts of Coventry. 

‘The new-look Walsgrave junction will reduce delays by delivering much-needed additional capacity, better connectivity and safer journeys for the 57,000 drivers using the road every day.'

Policy Lead for the Road Haulage Association (RHA), James Barwise, added: ‘We welcome the decision to give consent for the A46 Walsgrave Junction upgrade. The A46 is a vital strategic road for hauliers, coaches and vans, connecting businesses and ports either side of the country. 

‘Schemes such as this and the emerging A46 Newark Bypass are critical to ensuring that this route supports the frictionless movement of goods and unlocks economic growth for businesses across the Midlands.'

There is now a six-week period that allows parties to lodge an intention to legally challenge the decision.