A46 Binley junction officially opens

The improvements have included:

• constructing a new dual carriageway flyover above the existing roundabout
• building new northbound and southbound on and off slip roads
• upgrading access for pedestrians and cyclists, providing safer and improved access underneath the new flyover
• installing a toucan crossing along the A428, underneath the new flyover

Work started in 2020 with utility services diverted around the area, ensuring essential supplies to nearby residents and businesses were maintained. In early 2021 we moved traffic in to narrow lanes, creating space and allowing us to safely modify the existing carriageway and start building four new slip roads. Over two weekends in December 2021, specialist engineers carried out work to lift 32 steel beams – with a combined weight of 720 tonnes - into place to form the new flyover, which was a huge milestone for the project!

In July 2022 we opened the flyover, in time for the Commonwealth Games. All slip roads were fully opened to motorists and all road closures around the flyover were lifted in November 2022.

Member of Parliament for Rugby, Mark Pawsey, said:

“The opening of the new flyover at Binley will make a huge difference to the local community by alleviating congestion and it will also make journeys much smoother for motorists travelling along the A46.  The road is a key component linking the East and West Midlands and it plays an enormous role in helping to connect people to places and products to customers.  

“The new flyover is a real feat of engineering and I’d like to pass on my congratulations to those involved for designing and building something which will improve the journeys for tens of thousands of motorists each year.” 

Throughout the duration of the project, we’ve remained committed to investing locally. Our compound offices, constructed by local company Innovare Systems, were an industry first. Made from a timber panel system, the building provided high thermal performance and airtightness. Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd, located less than a mile from the site, were also one of the first contractors on site.

We’ve worked closely with local residents and businesses to ensure disruption has been kept to a minimum. We also wanted to make a difference to the local community, and the scheme has helped parish councils and community groups in a variety of ways:

• We’ve supported Coventry Foodbank, part of the @Trussell Trust. Throughout the duration of the project we made regular contributions including a massive 165kg donation in October 2022
• Through a £35,000 cash injection from our designated funds programme, we’ve helped protect and improve access to Piles Coppice, an ancient woodland close to the project, by replacing damaged fencing and installing new bollards
• We’ve worked alongside volunteers at Warwickshire Wildlife and took part in a litter pick at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, near to the scheme. We were also supported on the day by volunteers at Midland Langar Seva Society (MLSS) who provided the team with food and drinks. Since 2014 MLSS have been supporting communities in Coventry, serving over 3,000 meals per week. Find out more information about them here: https://midlandlangarseva.org/

One of our objectives for our upgrade scheme at Binley junction was to ensure there was minimal impact on the natural and built environment. The scheme was planned and managed to reduce or eliminate any adverse impacts on species of interest and their habitats, particularly within the local nature reserves that bordered the scheme.

We built two new ponds to provide natural pollution control and act as sustainable urban drainage for water run-off. These ponds have been carefully landscaped and planted up to provide a habitat for wildlife including amphibians and reptiles.

We’ve also helped deliver a sustainable project by:

• using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel in battery generators on site, reducing carbon emissions by 97%
• using hydrogen and battery tower lights to reduce noise and air pollution
• landscaping using native vegetation found in the local area to encourage wildlife
• installing new low-energy LED lighting across the scheme

We were delighted to welcome all of our guests, including Transport Minister Richard Holden, to our opening ceremony on Friday 3 February at Broadstreet Rugby Club. He said:

"National Highways’ upgrade of this vital section on the A46 will help families, businesses and commuters across Coventry, Rugby and Warwickshire have safe and reliable journeys.

“This was an enormous piece of work and I extend my thanks to everyone who worked on it and to the local community for their ongoing patience".

We celebrated the achievements of the project and those who have worked on it, along with highlighting the work we’ve delivered in the local community over the last three years. Guests were able to learn how the flyover was built with presentations by staff from National Highways and our delivery integration partners at Octavius.

Click here to view a copy of our opening ceremony celebration brochure.

Below are some more images of the celebration event.