Key M54 motorway junction set for major works in Telford
Significant works to improve Junction 4 of the M54 including anticipating increases in traffic and making it easier to use for cyclists are to start in October.
The project is part of the Marches Local Enterprise funded Eastern Gateway scheme, which seeks to provide infrastructure at the T54 site.
T54 is a key employment site for the Borough and is where Magna International is investing in a new 225,000 square feet aluminium casting facility. The Eastern Gateway scheme also includes the improvements to M54 Junction 4.
The work on Junction 4 is predominantly within the Shropshire Council and Highways England land boundaries but there is a small area at the bottom of Castle Farm Way within Telford and Wrekin.
Telford & Wrekin Council has been asked to design and project manage the works and have collaborated with Highways England and Shropshire Council to get the necessary permissions to carry out work on their areas.
The project will make the Junction 4 interchange more cycle-friendly with the introduction of on-demand Toucan crossings. The National Cycle Network route 55 extends cross boundary between all three boundary areas.
The design has taken into account the anticipated potential increase of traffic up to 2030 and includes the following works:
- Construction of an additional filter lane on the A464 from the Naird roundabout approach onto M54 Junction 4 island
- Construction of an additional filter land lane on the Priorslee Road approach on the M54 Junction 4 island
- Construction of an additional filter lane on the Castle Farm Way exit onto the M54 Junction 4 island
- Upgrade of surfacing and rationalization of parking at the layby by Priorslee Lake
- Installation of two additional sets of traffic lights on the roundabout
- Upgrade of footpaths to enhance pedestrian and cyclist movements
- Upgrade of street lighting
- Rationalisation and replacement of signs as required
- Replacement of vehicle crash barriers where required
- The six non motorway entry/exits and carriageway of the island will be resurfaced and the lining revised to accommodate new traffic signals and crossing points
Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Highways, said: “Like the other infrastructure works being delivered across the Borough, this is a major improvement to a key gateway in Telford which is funded by the Marches Enterprise Fund.
“The work will mean that the roundabout has sufficient capacity to cope with increase in demand until 2030.
“It is anticipated that the work will last 20 weeks and, as our aim is always to keep Telford moving, we will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum during these works.
“Construction is planned to be completed under lane closures on the island and resurfacing is planned to be done overnight.”
