PLANS for a £112.5million upgrade to the A46 Walsgrave junction have been slammed by the region’s walking and cycling chief Adam Tranter, who has claimed the mooted plans miss opportunities to cut congestion and encourage active travel.
A consultation on National Highways proposals for the upgrade, which would include a new junction consisting of two new roundabouts connected via a new bridge over the A46, ended last week.
Mr Tranter said while the National Highways consultation material suggested an awareness of the need for improved walking and cycling routes, the execution of those plans fell ‘significantly short of expectations.’
Traffic congestion on the A46 has led to slower speeds, longer trip times and more queueing for drivers, with the upgrade aiming to prevent queues and support more economic growth in the West Midlands.
The A46 has also experienced safety issues in the past, with the section south of Coventry in the top 45 per cent for total casualties.
Work is currently expected to begin in late 2026 and finish around two years later.
Mr Tranter added: “The junction is a stone’s throw from the high-quality segregated Binley Cycleway, one of our flagship cycle routes, but the current proposals not only fail to align with our policies advocating for a modal shift towards public transport but also miss a crucial opportunity to truly enhance the active travel infrastructure in the region.
“I am urging them to reconsider their current approach, embrace active travel and apply design standards more rigorously.”
National Highways project manager, Emma Winter said the organisation was committed to developing pedestrian and cycle routes as part of the upgrade.
She added: “We’ve already been speaking to local authorities to identify ways to improve the provisions for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders as part of our early design work.
“For example, our design of the new B4082 verge allows sufficient space for a future footway or cycleway to be put in place up to the existing Hungerley Farm access bridge.
“Elsewhere, our proposed design also includes a new signalised pedestrian crossing on the eastern arm of the Clifford Bridge road roundabout to allow safer crossings for pedestrians.”
