FAQs

The proposed scheme will aim to improve highway capacity between the roundabouts with Moorend Avenue and Coleshill Heath Road in Chelmund’s Cross. Current early designs for the scheme convert sections of the single lane carriageway into a two-lane dual carriageway in order to reduce congestion and improve journey times along the A452 corridor. The design also includes improvements for cyclists and pedestrians by creating a safe and fully segregated new cycle route and resurfacing existing footways.

The proposed scheme aims to make the best of the use of the existing Council owned land within the highway boundary. Additional traffic lanes will release capacity on a constrained section of the network, complemented by upgrades to existing cycling facilities. 

The key features of the proposed scheme are:

• Conversion of the majority of the existing single-lane dual carriageway to a two-lane dual carriageway to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. 
• Slight realignment of Coleshill Heath roundabout to accommodate a cycle lane and provide additional carriageway (entry lanes).
• Use of existing verge and carriageway (primarily on the southbound side of the A452 Chester Road) to create a fully segregated (2.5m – 3m wide), two-way cycle route providing a direct and safe route between the start and end points.
• Provision of additional crossing points along the route, where required.
• Resurfacing of existing footways.

This proposed scheme has been allocated central government funding, via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). This funding programme aims to deliver transformational change through investments in public and sustainable transport infrastructure in some of England’s largest city regions, including the West Midlands. 

Officers at the Council are in the process of developing a business case for the scheme (presenting costs and benefits) and the funding will be unlocked following approval of the relevant documents.

We anticipate that construction could start in 2025 with completion in 2026.

The corridor currently experiences vehicle queues and delay for both local and strategic traffic, particularly in the vicinity of the Hedingham Grove junction. Junction modelling undertaken relating to the proposed early designs show the scheme is expected to reduce journey times on the corridor and improve the general network performance. 

The proposed scheme should bring the following benefits:

• Enhanced journey time reliability along the A452 corridor.
• Improved safety for all users, including cyclists.
• Additional capacity for increased transport demand (by car and cycle), accommodating forecast future traffic flows (e.g. proposed Simon Digby housing development).
• Reduced severance through the provision of improved crossing points. 
• Local air quality should be improved due to less queuing traffic.

The primary purpose of the scheme delivered in 2014 was to make it easier for local residents to access the community facilities at the new village centre. The 2014 scheme removed the unsatisfactory pedestrian subway and provided a number of new crossing facilities. It also improved access for cyclists through the re-purposing of highway space. A change in national transport policy and guidance means that the proposed new scheme can retain the improved access for pedestrians and cyclists, whilst also improving conditions for motorists passing through the corridor.

The proposals have been developed to conform with the Government’s latest guidance on cycling (LTN 1/20) where possible. As shown in the visualisations, a 3m wide two-way cycle path will be provided, with a 0.5m buffer in place to segregate cyclists from vehicle traffic, improving safety. The cycle connection into Birmingham Business Park will be improved through widening a section of the existing Coleshill Heath Road footway to accommodate a new cycle track. Pedestrians will be diverted to the alternative footway (behind the trees), which will be widened and upgraded.

We have designed the scheme to minimise the impact on trees and vegetation wherever possible. For example, on Board 3 the cycleway is shown to narrow slightly and is diverted around several trees. However, as the early design currently stands one tree will need to be removed to accommodate the cycle track (this is shown as the middle tree on Board 3) and Board 2 also shows that a short row of existing young trees will need to be replanted to accommodate the scheme. As the scheme design progresses we will be liaising with Forestry colleagues to ensure that any impact is mitigated sufficiently.

In 2023, the Council published a refresh of the Solihull Connected Transport Strategy with the vision that ‘Solihull will have a multi-modal transport system that accesses all parts of the Borough, supports our economy, is safe to use and makes the Borough healthier and fairer for communities, businesses, and visitors’.

The Strategy recognises the importance of maintaining the highway network and managing congestion, with Policy 5 outlining that ‘We will focus on highway schemes that address congestion hotspots, address community concerns around traffic impacts, unlock development opportunities and that relieve constraints to economic growth / retention of economic assets’.

The A452 corridor has a dual function for strategic and local traffic, being a diversion route in the event of incidents on the M6 and having a significant role to play in supporting regeneration by unlocking future development sites. It also provides access to Birmingham Business Park, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Airport and, in the future, HS2.

The associated Solihull Connected Delivery Plan aims to turn the Solihull Connected vision into reality by identifying specific transport priorities to be developed into investment ready propositions. The proposed improvements on the A452 Chester Road corridor are included as part of the West Midlands City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) scheme allocations. 

The corridor also forms part of the wider ‘Castle Bromwich / Chelmsley Wood to Birmingham Airport / NEC’ strategic cycle route, which is identified as a high priority for investment within the Council’s adopted Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). 

Feedback from the public consultation will be considered and the design will be amended accordingly. Detailed design will be undertaken, and a supporting business case will be submitted to the West Midlands Combined Authority to release the capital funding.

To receive email updates on key milestones as the scheme progresses, you can sign up to the ‘A452 Chester Road Improvement Scheme’ bulletin via the Council’s Stay Connected service.