Good news for Road Network surrounding Basepoint Tewkesbury!
A new multi-council partnership has been formed to look into solving traffic problems at junction nine of the M5 and the A46 at Ashchurch. The A46 Member Partnership has a Tewkesbury-based chairman, after Gloucestershire county councillor Vernon Smith was voted into the role at its first meeting in Gloucester. He now hopes to make progress in looking at how, with the help of other groups, traffic congestion at the pinch-points can be eased. "Now that central government has started its allocation process for the next round of funding for 2020 to 2025, we want to be in the best position possible to bid for funding. We need to improve north Gloucestershire's infrastructure for the 21st century. I know there are other pinch points on the A46 too, particularly around Evesham in Worcestershire and in Warwickshire so we must raise the profile and the requirements for the whole route."
It follows widespread concern in Tewkesbury that, with various new large housing estates set to be built in the near to medium-term future, its roads will not be able to cope. The concern has often focussed on Ashchurch, where at peak times traffic can virtually grind to a halt.
The group will focus on the section of the A46 trunk road between the M6/M69 near Coventry and the M5 near Tewkesbury. As well as Gloucestershire County Council, other partners include Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire County Council, Rugby Borough Council, Coventry City Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, GFirst Gloucestershire LEP and Worcestershire LEP. Highways England is responsible for the A46 and junction nine of the M5 and for making any improvements. Although not part of the group, it has been invited to attend partnership meetings to talk about any studies it has undertaken assessing the A46.
Mr Smith, who will chair the meetings for the next two years, said: "I feel very excited and humble to be made chair. I want to tackle the long standing congestion on the A46 at Ashchurch and see improvements at junction nine of the M5 so that traffic movement can be better in the future. The group will bring together the decision makers and local stakeholders along the length of the road so we can agree what improvements are needed. By having a combined goal for the whole of the A46 we can strengthen the cases for our own individual areas."