31 Jan 2025

Proposed A50/A500 Upgrades: Midlands Connect need the support of local businesses to make case for improvements

Midlands Connect, the Sub-national Transport Body for the region, hopes to build a strong case for the government to invest in proposals for highway improvements to the A50/A500 corridor.

To have the best chance of securing Department for Transport funding for these schemes, Midlands Connect wants to hear from businesses in Staffordshire to hear how a stronger A50/A500 would support your operations.

The views of local businesses will be essential in strengthening the business case for these essential highway upgrades.

Midlands Connect hopes to transform the A50/A500 east-west corridor into one of the primary locations for sustainable growth and investment in the UK. The A50 is a critical east-west route that plays a vital role in the movement of goods and services across our region but is often at capacity and subject to delays.

If you feel that your organisation would benefit from an improved A50/A500, please get in touch with mcadmin@midlandsconnect.uk and share your views.

Your voice will help in shaping the future of our region's transportation network.

Integrated Transport Programme Lead for Midlands Connect, Swati Mittal said:

“We want to hear from businesses and we want to hear your experiences. We want to hear about the impact that local congestion and gridlock on the A50/A500 can cause your firm on a daily basis.

“Please do get in touch with us over the next couple of weeks. We need your views to highlight the critical demand to upgrade this vital link to the local road network. Your experiences and thoughts could make a massive difference, please take five minutes to get in touch and let us know what the impact is on your business.”

ENDS

Contact Information

Paul Butters
paulbutters@midlandsconnect.uk

About Midlands Connect

Midlands Connect is the Sub-national Transport Body for the Midlands.

Midlands Connect researches, develops and champions long-term transport projects to provide the biggest possible economic, social and environmental benefits for the Midlands and the rest of the UK.

We examine every option for improving major transport infrastructure in our region. The fundamental aim of these improvements is to transform regional and UK gateways, bringing the Midlands closer together and accelerating cost-effective improvements to unlock east-west connectivity that will enable the region's economies to work more effectively together.

Our partnership is made up of 22 local authorities, East Midlands and Birmingham airports, and Chambers of Commerce stretching from the Welsh border to the Lincolnshire coast. The partnership also includes the Department for Transport, Network Rail, National Highways and HS2 Ltd, with whom we work alongside to drive an unprecedented level of collaboration for the good of the Midlands and the UK.

The Midlands Connect Strategy, as well as its latest reports, can be downloaded here: https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/publications/