A500 Etruria widening
We widened the A500 to provide and additional lane in both directions between the A5271 (Porthill) and A527 (Wolstanton) junctions.
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Latest updates
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06 July 2020
Work completed
We’ve completed our work to widen the A500 between Porthill (A5271) and Wolstanton (A527) three months earlier than we anticipated. We’ve widened this 1km stretch from two lanes to three and all lanes are now open for traffic.
This will provide more capacity to ease congestion and improve journey time reliability, so that road users can plan their journeys with greater confidence. This section of the A500 will require less maintenance in coming years, so the need for overnight closures and diverted traffic is greatly reduced.
It will also reduce delays and the likelihood of collisions, particularly on the road section next to the Etruria Valley Stoke-on-Trent Growth Deal development site. The widening will support new development opportunities, attract employment investment and create jobs, key for the long-term growth of the Stoke-on-Trent economy.
We’ve also lowered the speed limit from 70mph to 50mph, making this stretch consistent with the majority of the A500 in this area, allowing traffic to flow better.
As well as widening this stretch, we’ve also:
- installed new signage
- improved the drainage
- replaced the lighting
- resurfaced the carriageway with a smoother surface
- replaced the central reserve safety fence with a concrete barrier to reduce the need for future maintenance
With all lanes now open, we’re completing the finishing touches over the summer, including the final landscaping works. To allow us to complete the remaining works safely we’ll need occasional overnight closures of the A500 and will provide a clearly signed diversion route while the road is closed.
We believe in a connected country and our network makes these connections happen. We hope you notice the difference and the newly-widened section helps you connect better with friends, family and businesses, whenever it is safe to do so.
We recognise that the work will have caused inconvenience and we sincerely apologise for any disruption. We’re exceptionally grateful for your patience while we carried out this important work.
Project information
Overview
The A500 connects the M6, Nantwich, Crewe and other Cheshire towns with the city of Stoke-on-Trent. It carries thousands of vehicles a day through the city for business and leisure. Over time, the number of vehicles using the A500 has increased, leading to an increase in collisions, congestion and delays.
This scheme will help facilitate the Stoke Growth Deal (Etruria Valley Development) proposed improvements at the A500 Wolstanton junction.
As part of the scheme, we’ve lowered the speed limit from 70mph to 50mph, making this stretch consistent with the majority of the A500 in this area. This speed limit combined with the extra lane will allow traffic to flow better, reducing delays and queuing and making journey times more reliable.
The additional capacity will reduce the likelihood of collisions, particularly on the section next to the Etruria Valley Enterprise Area.
The scheme will support the growing economy. This improvement will support new development opportunities, attract employment investment and create jobs – key for the long-term health of the Stoke-on-Trent economy.
We want to make sure that our roads create opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians not barriers to journeys. As part of this scheme, we will create better and improved cycling and pedestrian facilities that are safe and separate from traffic.
In addition to widening the A500 and reducing the speed limit, we’ve also:
- installed new signage
- improved the drainage
- replaced the lighting
- resurfaced this section of the A500
Benefits
The section of the A500 around the urban area of Stoke-on-Trent suffered from:
- congestion
- journey time delays
- closely spaced junctions
- places where the traffic merges in a non-standard way
- a high number of collisions at these junctions and merge points as a result of the high volume of traffic
The completed scheme will:
- improve safety
- reduce delays and queuing
- improve journey time reliability
This scheme also supports the Etruria Valley Development by allowing the A500 to accommodate the new traffic this development will generate.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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