The major upgrade scheme has been given the green light and will tackle congestion at the notorious Coventry junction, with construction starting in autumn 2026

How the A46 Walsgrave junction will look when it’s finished

A multi-million pound roads scheme designed to boost the economy by tackling congestion in Coventry has been given the go-ahead.

Lord Hendy, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander, approved a Development Consent Order (DCO) today for the A46 Walsgrave junction upgrade project, which forms part of the crucial Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor between the M5 and Humber Ports.

The A46 is one of the UK’s major trade routes, serving millions of people, supporting jobs and connecting inland manufacturing and distribution hubs with major ports.

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The Walsgrave junction connects the A46 to the B4082 and is currently a three-arm priority roundabout, which causes substantial congestion in the area. The new-look junction will allow for a free-flowing A46 carriageway whilst also enabling drivers to enter and exit the local road network.

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.”

Construction at the Walsgrave junction is anticipated to commence in autumn 2026, with the £112 million project opening to traffic in 2028.

An artist’s impression of the A46 Walsgrave junction after works are completed

Projects such as this that deliver improved connectivity to employment centres enable people to access more job opportunities and employers are able to draw upon a wider pool of talent.

Well-connected areas are also better positioned to attract businesses that benefit from proximity to one another, boosting innovation and helping local economies thrive.

Policy Lead for RHA, which represents road hauliers, James Barwise, said: “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.”

The project is categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project under the Planning Act 2008, meaning it required an application for a DCO to obtain the equivalent of planning permission to move into the construction phase.

There is now a six-week period in which parties can lodge an intention to legally challenge the decision.

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