A 20-YEAR vision for the A46 which experts say could boost the economy by £7.1billion over the next 60 years will be outlined at a conference in Coventry.
The four-hour event – at 9.30am on Tuesday, June 14 – will take place at Coventry University Technology Park and feature speakers from hosts Midlands Connect, Midlands Engine and the local and National Government.
This economic increase would come through the A46’s ability to provide quicker journeys, reduced business costs and improved productivity.
The plan is Midlands Connect’s first-ever improvement strategy for the A46.
Phase one of the A46 Corridor study recommends that coordinated investment should be accelerated at key congestion hotspots, including Coventry, Evesham, Leicester and Stratford-Upon-Avon.
The average rush-hour speeds in these areas regularly fall below 20 miles per hour.
Those behind the scheme say the improvements are necessary to support future growth across the A46 corridor, which is expected to involve 600,000 more residents, 150,000 jobs and 250,000 new homes by 2041.
When surveyed, 65 per cent of businesses on the corridor said they would create new jobs if improvements were made to the A46.
The A46 impacts the performance of 75 per cent of surveyed businesses due to unpredictable journey times, which hinders their response to existing customers and prevents them from attracting new ones.
Only 20 per cent said traffic conditions had improved over the past five years, with a resounding 71 per cent claiming they had worsened.
Conference organisers Midlands Connect is seeking Government support for the work.
The corridor is currently home to 5.5million people and 2.9million jobs.
Its economic output is £115billion, which accounts for almost 10 per cent of the economy.
The conference will be interactive and attendees will have the chance to ask questions to the guest speakers.
Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midlands-connect-a46-conference-tickets-330527826627 to register for the conference.
