22/09/2014
As construction of new roads and businesses at the flagship i54 South Staffordshire development motors towards completion, a publicity campaign has been launched to explain changes to how visitors enter and exit the site from late 2014.
In a national first, Staffordshire County Council, Wolverhampton City Council and South Staffordshire Council are funding and building a motorway junction on to the site to attract business and create jobs.
When it opens in the autumn, all cars and lorries will enter and exit i54 using the junction and slip roads. A camera-controlled bus lane is being installed on Innovation Drive – the current road on to the site from the Wobaston Road roundabout – and when it comes into force, only local buses, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians will be able to enter the site using this route. Any unauthorised vehicles will be issued with a penalty charge notice and fine of £60.
The bus lane will lead to easier, more consistent journey times and encourage travel to the site by public transport. The new arrangements are one of the conditions of the planning permission for i54 and will also help to protect nearby businesses and residents in Wolverhampton, Bilbrook and Codsall from increased traffic.
Information has already been sent to the four businesses currently on site, Jaguar Land Rover, MOOG, Eurofins and ISP, to start sharing with their staff, suppliers and visitors. Further details including dates and reminders will be publicised over the coming months to ensure the switch over is as smooth as possible.
Philip Atkins, leader of Staffordshire County Council, Cllr Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council, and Cllr Brian Edwards, leader of South Staffordshire Council, hailed the progress on site. In a joint statement they said.
He continued –
“The opening of the motorway junction later this year will complete a unique engineering feat with three councils investing in the motorway network and developing the site to attract leading businesses to the area.
“These new road arrangements are part of the planning conditions for the site, and when they come into effect later this year, will ensure i54 is one of the best business sites in the West Midlands, while safeguarding local businesses and people from the extra traffic created.
“We are already working with the four companies on site, and with partners to explain how employees, suppliers and visitors get to i54, and to make it clear that from the autumn there will be no access from Wobaston Road except for buses, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians. More information and reminders will be provided as we near completion and celebrate the junction opening in the autumn.”
The junction opening date is not yet confirmed but will be announced at least four weeks in advance.
For more information and a map of the new access arrangements, visit www.i54southstaffordshire.co.uk/access