A46 Coventry junctions upgrade

Latest updates

• 16 December 2024

  Our Development Consent Order (DCO) application has been accepted

  On 12 December 2024, the Planning Inspectorate confirmed they have accepted our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for detailed examination. 

  After finalising our plans for the improvements to the A46 Coventry Junction, we submitted our DCO to the Planning Inspectorate on 14 November 2024. Our DCO is a collection of assessments, data, plans and proposals, which outline how we plan to deliver the scheme. The application also includes our consultation report, which outlines the comments and questions we received during our statutory and targeted consultations, along with our responses. 

  Our application documents are available on the Planning Inspectorate Website. 

  The planning process takes around 12 months including six months of examination, some taking place at public hearings. Watch this short video from the Planning Inspectorate, explaining the six stages of the development consent process. 

  What happens next - the pre-examination stage 

  Anyone, including businesses, or individuals, can register as an 'Interested Party'. By doing this, you’ll be able to submit a written representation or attend a public hearing to present your views on the project. We’ll publish details of how to do this on our scheme webpage. During this stage, the Planning Inspectorate will also: 

  • appoint a panel of inspectors to serve as the Examining Authority 
  • hold a first meeting, called the 'Preliminary Hearing' to discuss procedural issues and the timetable for examination 

  Please note: The Transport Secretary has commissioned a review of the Department for Transport's spending portfolio, including current and future road schemes. While the review is ongoing, we’re continuing with our work on the scheme. 

  Read the Secretary of State’s written statement to Parliament of 30 July 2024.

  Keep in touch 

  You can sign up to receive email alerts when we update information on the A46 Coventry Junctions (Walsgrave) scheme. You can also register to receive email alerts from the Planning Inspectorate. 
   
  You can contact our team directly by email if you have any questions about the process: a46coventryjcns@nationalhighways.co.uk 

   

• 22 August 2024

  Supplementary consultation with stakeholders begins

  As mentioned in our previous update, we’ve been analysing your responses from the statutory consultation which closed in December 2023. Since then, we’ve used feedback and ongoing engagement to update our Scheme design.  

  Due to recent developments to the scheme design and updates that have been made, we’re now undertaking a supplementary consultation with people who have an interest in the land impacted by the changes. This consultation activity will take place over the next four weeks so we can gather feedback on our latest scheme proposals. Those impacted will be receiving a letter from us. 

  Most of our updates have been made to the scheme boundary, also referred to as ‘draft order limits’ or the ‘red line boundary’. This is the land we would seek to acquire either temporarily or permanently if our application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is approved. 

  To support this consultation, we have produced a schedule of proposed changes, updated design drawings and land use plans. 

  If you have any queries regarding our latest updates, please email: a46coventryjcns@nationalhighways.co.uk

   

• 23 July 2024

  Overnight closures for routine landscaping maintenance & barrier inspections

  Our teams will be carrying out work on both lanes and slip roads of the A46 between Toll Bar and Walsgrave Junctions from Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August.

  To ensure the safety of our workforce and to protect motorists, we will be closing this section of the A46 north and southbound.

  The closure will be in place between 8pm and 6am between Monday 29 July to Tuesday 30 July and then between Wednesday 31 July to Friday 2 August. There is no overnight closure on Tuesday 30 July.

  In advance of the closures, we’ll put in place a clearly signed diversion route which has been agreed with Coventry City Council. This is the most suitable route for both the amount and type of traffic being diverted.

  

  We apologise in advance for any inconvenience you may experience, and our team will make every effort to manage noise levels and minimise disruption to the local community.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• 14 May 2024

  We've published our Consultation Summary Report

  We’ve been reviewing your responses to our statutory consultation in December 2023,

  We’ve produced a report that summarises the common themes and comments we received. The summary report is to give you an early look at the results.

  A45 Coventry junctions (Walsgrave) Public consultation summary

  We're still working on our full consultation report. We'll submit this with our Development Consent Order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate

  If you have any questions, please email: a46coventryjcns@nationalhighways.co.uk.

• 07 December 2023

  Consultation now closed

  Our public consultation has now closed. We'd like to thank everybody who took the time to provide us with feedback on our proposed design.

  We’ll now review all the suggestions and comments received and we’ll take time to consider your feedback when making further refinements to the proposed design and to develop our planned mitigation measures.

  We’ll set out a summary of the responses received and the themes raised and aim to publish this in March 2024. The full consultation report, summarising all the responses, and describing how our proposals have been informed and influenced by them, will form part of our Development Consent Order (DCO) application. This will be available to the public if our application is accepted by the Planning Inspectorate. We expect to submit our application by autumn 2024 and, if consent is granted, work will start in autumn/winter 2026.

  In addition to this consultation process, we’ll continue to engage with anyone interested in or impacted by the scheme.

  If you have any queries about this scheme please contact the project team directly by calling 0300 123 5000 or emailing A46CoventryJcns@nationalhighways.co.uk

  This short video gives more information about how we develop major road projects and the process we expect to follow to obtain planning permission to build the scheme.

• 13 November 2023

  Statutory consultation launched

  We’re consulting on our proposals for the A46 Coventry junctions (Walsgrave) scheme and want to hear your views on our latest design.

  A46 Coventry junctions (Walsgrave): Preferred route fly through video - visual description.

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  The consultation will run from 25 October until 11.59pm on 6 December 2023.

   

  If you’ve received a letter from us informing you that we have identified you as a Section 42 category 3 landowner or occupier, the consultation period will remain open until 11:59pm on 22 December 2023.

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  Your feedback is important and will continue to help shape the design of the scheme before we submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO).

  What you need to know:

  • To find out more about our proposals and the consultation, please see our consultation brochure
  • You can also view our mapbook, which contains a range of technical drawings including General Arrangement plans
  • Our environmental information can be seen in our Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) or a summarised version in our Non-Technical Summary
  • Share your views and complete our online response form on Citizen Space

  Public consultation events

  One of the best ways to find out more about our proposals is to come to one of our public consultation events.

  We’ll be holding three large in-person events where we’ll be sharing lots of information, including a detailed breakdown of our proposals and large scale maps. You’ll also have the chance to speak to our technical experts, who’ll be available to answer your questions at the locations listed below:

  Venue address	Date and time of event
  Wyken Community Centre, Ennerdale Lane, Coventry, CV2 5PY	Saturday 4 November 2023, 10am to 2pm
  Warwickshire Shopping Park Community Centre, 1c Kynner Way, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SB	Friday 17 November 2023, 2pm to 8pm
  Brinklow Community Hall, 43 Broad Street, Brinklow, Rugby, CV23 0LS	Thursday 30 November 2023, 2pm to 8pm

   

  Alternatively, we’ll also be holding three smaller pop-up events around Coventry. Although there’ll be less information on display due to the size constraints of the venues, you’ll still be able to pick up a scheme brochure and response form, and speak to some members of our project team:

  Venue address	Date and time of event
  Broadgate, Coventry City Centre (National Highways engagement van)	Thursday 9 November 2023, 10am to 4pm
  Tesco (Walsgrave Superstore), Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2TS	Thursday 16 November 2023, 10am to 2pm
  Coombe Country Park visitor centre, Brinklow Road, Coventry CV3 2AB	Saturday 25 November 2023, 10am to 2pm

  Online event

  Our online event took place at 6pm on Tuesday 7 November. Click below to:

  • download and read a pdf copy of the transcript from the event
  • view a recording of the event 

  Consultation materials

  All of our consultation materials can be viewed online in the 'Consultation 2023' section below.

  Printed copies of our consultation brochure and response form are available free of charge at deposit locations and in-person consultation events throughout the consultation period. The deposit locations are:

  Location	Opening hours
  	Day	Time
  Caludon Castle School and Community Library, Axholme Road, Wyken, Coventry, CV2 5BD	Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday	2pm – 6pm 2pm – 6pm Closed 2pm – 6pm 2pm – 6pm 10am – 4pm Closed
  Coventry Council House, Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RR	Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday	9am – 5pm Closed Closed
  Rugby Borough Council, Town Hall, Evreux Way, Rugby, CV21 2RR	Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday	9am – 5pm Closed Closed
  Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, Warwick, CV34 4RL	Monday to Friday Saturday Sunday	8am – 6.30pm 9am – 1pm Closed
  Willenhall Library, Hagard Community Space, Remembrance Road, Coventry, CV3 3DG	Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday	10am – 7pm 10am – 7pm Closed 10am – 7pm 10am – 7pm 9am – 4pm Closed
  Wolston Library and Information Centre, Warwick Road, Wolston, Coventry, CV8 3GX	Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday	2.30pm to 5pm 2.30pm to 5pm 2.30pm to 5pm 10.30am to 1pm 10.30am to 1pm 10.30am to 1pm Closed

  The opening times of these deposit locations may be subject to change due to circumstances out of our control. If in doubt, please contact a location before visiting.

  How to respond to our consultation

  • Complete our response form online via Citizen Space
  • Email your response to: A46CoventryJcns@nationalhighways.co.uk
  • Send a completed response form or letter to: Freepost A46 WALSGRAVE SCHEME

  For further information about the scheme or the consultation, please contact us using the scheme email address A46CoventryJcns@nationalhighways.co.uk or call our Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

• 03 February 2023

  Binley junction upgrade now complete

  Our upgrade to Binley Junction, part of our work on the vital A46 route near Coventry is now complete. It means that drivers travelling along the length of the A46 will no longer need to slow down to use the roundabout, reducing congestion and making journeys safer and more reliable.

  The improvements have included:

  • the construction of a new dual carriageway flyover above the existing roundabout
  • the construction of new northbound and southbound on and off slip roads
  • upgraded 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

  

  (A46 Binley junction at night)

  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 – a huge milestone for the project!

  In July 2022 we were able to open complete the flyover, ensuring it opened in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with all slip roads fully open to motorists and road closures around the flyover lifted in November 2022.

  Chair of Binley Woods Parish Council, Paul Salisbury said: “The completion of the new flyover is a real game-changer for local people. The movement of vehicles around the old junction was chaotic so it’s great to see the new layout open to traffic and it means through traffic can now stay on the A46.

  We’re keen to see work progress at Walsgrave junction as this will make journeys even smoother for drivers using the A46.”

  Roads Minister Richard Holden, who attended the ceremony, 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."

  

  (Richard Holden MP officially opening the flyover)

  Throughout the duration of the project, we were 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. This highly insulated and cost effective building was extremely energy efficient and provided a low carbon footprint.

  Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd, located less than a mile from the site, were also one of the first contractors on site.

  

  (Arborist measuring on site)

  We’ve worked closely with local residents and businesses to ensure disruption has been kept to a minimum. We also wanted to ensure we made a difference to the local community. 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 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.

  

  (Pollution control ponds)

  Barriers alongside the new northbound entry slip road aid in protecting local housing from the impacts of the road and close board fencing on the southbound entry slip road provides screening to nearby Piles Coppice.

  All landscaping uses native vegetation found in the local area to encourage wildlife and provide a green corridor linking the scheme to adjacent protected habitats.

  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.

  We celebrated the achievements of the project and those who have worked on it along with highlighting the work we’ve done in our 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.

• 27 July 2022

  A46 Binley Flyover opens

  

  (Aerial view of Binley Flyover)

  The new 14,000-tonne flyover that separates long distance and local traffic on the A46 at Binley will open on Friday 29 July. It means that drivers travelling along the length of the A46 will no longer need to slow down to use the roundabout, reducing congestion and making journeys safer.

  Drivers using the new road for the first time are being advised that there is a temporary 40 mph speed limit in place with two lanes running in each direction while some remaining work takes place elsewhere on the structure.

  Work will still be taking place at Binley in two phases until Autumn 2022 with slip road closures required while teams complete the final stages of the project. Clearly signed diversion routes for affected traffic will be in place.

• 14 June 2022

  Preferred route announcement

  Alongside our ongoing work to upgrade Binley junction, we’ve been assessing various options to upgrade the junction at Walsgrave. Our work showed that only one option was viable and could deliver the required improvements at the junction.

  Between January 2022 and February 2022, we held a public consultation on this viable option, known as Option 11. We also shared detail on the discounted options and explained why these were not viable.

  The feedback received during the consultation showed support for improvements at Walsgrave junction and support for Option 11 and we are therefore taking this scheme to the next stage of design development.

  You can find out more about the preferred route in our brochure

  What option 11 looks like

  

  Option 11 would provide a fully grade separated junction approximately 800m north of the existing A46 Walsgrave junction. Exit and entry slip roads would be provided on both the north and southbound carriageway allowing full connection to the local road network.

  The junction would be in a dumbbell layout with the slip roads connecting to a roundabout on each side of the carriageway with the roundabouts connected via an overbridge.

  A number of comments were raised in response to the consultation, which we’ll investigate further at the next stage of design. These include:

  • access to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire
  • walking and cycling provision
  • a proposed 50mph speed limit
  • the impact on local road network

  What happens next

  Now we have announced our preferred route, we’ll undertake the next stage of design development. This is when we’ll develop more detail on the highway structures and overall design. It’s also when the next stages of environmental assessments are completed and we’ll look at the steps we can take to reduce any environmental impacts. During this stage of the scheme, we’ll hold another public consultation, giving you the opportunity to comment on a more developed proposal.

• 19 January 2022

  Watch how 32 giant steel beams were lifted into place to form a flyover at Binley junction

  This new time-lapse footage shows the moment huge steel beams were lifted into place to form a flyover at Binley junction.

  Specialist teams carried out the work over two weekends in December, using a 750-tonne crane to lift 32 beams - with a combined weight of 720 tonnes - into place.

  This work is part of our £61 million investment to transform Binley junction by building a flyover to separate long distance and local traffic. This means drivers staying on the A46 will no longer need to slow down to use the roundabout, reducing congestion and making journeys safer.

  If you’d like more information about the A46 Coventry junctions upgrade scheme you can contact us by:

  • emailing A46CoventryJcns@nationalhighways.co.uk
  • calling 0300 123 5000 (this line is available 24 hours a day)