A38 Bromsgrove works to benefit from £43m government funding

The government is ploughing more than £43 million to install new lanes at key junctions and widening existing roads to improve traffic flow reducing the threat of any unnecessary bottlenecks.

A new cycle and pedestrian corridor running parallel to the A38 will also be built, while new crossings and overbridges will connect to the wider local cycle network.

The upgrades will take place on a 7.5-mile stretch of the route, between the M5 Junction 4 to the north and the A38/B4094 to the south.

Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: “I know local residents in Worcestershire have been affected by congestion along this key route for too long.

“That’s why we’re investing more than £43 million, providing a huge boost to the area’s economy and ensuring people can get around the region quicker and easier – whether that be for work, education or to see family and friends.”

A38 Stoke Road. Image/ Google Maps.

The government said the project will generate more than £93 million in economic benefits for Midlands communities with the improvements supporting 1,100 new and the development of 5,500 homes.

Worcestershire County Council's Leader, Councillor Simon Geraghty, said: “We are delighted that the A38 project has taken a huge next step forward in the journey towards securing £43 million funding from the Department for Transport.

“This significant investment will help improve everyday journeys around Bromsgrove, easing traffic for local people, as well as boosting the local economy.”

The total cost of the scheme is £49.8 million, with the Department for Transport providing just over £43 million and Worcestershire County Council providing the remainder.

The improved traffic flow and lower congestion will also reduce journey times for buses and real-time passenger information will be installed at bus stops along the route providing passengers with live updates.

Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, Councillor Marc Bayliss, said: "This is fantastic news for Worcestershire. We really welcome the funding announcement which paves the way for the third and largest phase of the scheme to improve the A38 through Bromsgrove.

"Works on this important and much-needed final phase will see essential improvements along this key strategic link. 

“It will provide access to the M42 and M5, as well as offering an important local role as an eastern bypass to Bromsgrove, providing access to housing, services and businesses."

The chief executive of Midlands Connect, which develops transport projects for the region said the funding is great news for businesses and residents.

"Improving and upgrading the A38 has been a major ambition of Midlands Connect and Worcestershire County Council and years of hard work, by lots of partners, has really paid off,” said Maria Machancoses.

"This enhancement will reduce heavy congestion on the road but more than that it will also improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists by enhancing existing facilities."

Worcestershire County Council must now complete the design of the project; identify a preferred contractor and submit to the Department of Transport a full business case for final funding approval.

If that is approved works are expected to start in early 2023 with the scheme opening to the public by the end of 2025.