Southern Link road set to cut Worcester traffic

A new dual carriageway is planned to reduce Worcester traffic and halve journey times.

Minister for Roads Jesse Norman has announced £55M funding to create a new dual carriageway which will ease Worcester traffic. It is also hoped that the road will create new job opportunities and pave the way for new homes to be built.

The Southern Link road will be extended alongside the Carrington bridge and provide better access to Birmingham International Airport and Worcestershire Parkway Station. It is estimated that improved access to the M5 will support 6,000 jobs and boost economic growth in areas like Great Malvern.

Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “This is great news for Worcestershire! We welcome this announcement of funding approval which paves the way for the final phase of the scheme to fully dual the Southern Link Road from the M5 to the Powick Roundabout.”

“Works on this important and much needed final phase will see Carrington Bridge extended and 1.5km of viaduct being built between the Ketch and Powick roundabouts. We look forward to sharing further details about this final phase which also includes an improved Ketch Viewpoint and underpass in addition to a footbridge over Hams Way in the next couple of weeks.”

Worcestershire County Council is contributing £7.5M to the new road, with government funding coming from the Large Local Majors Fund which invests in infrastructure. The road will connect the M5 to Worcestershire and Herefordshire, cutting journeys along the A4440 in half during peak hours.

The construction will also include two new bridges, cycling and pedestrian routes, and improvements to junctions, all of which will improve air quality. Roads Minister Jesse Norman spoke about the government’s commitment to using infrastructure to improve local economies and improving journeys to both major cities and smaller towns.

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