Average speeds at peak times drop by nearly a half in the morning rush hour between Hinckley and Tamworth, according to new research by transport body Midlands.

Analysis shows the route drops 44% in average speeds in the AM peak, between 6 am and 10 am compared to off-peak journey times.  The average speed on the route is 48 miles per hour, dropping to around 32 MPH during peak periods. In some locations, it can dip down as low as 10 miles per hour.

There were 180 road traffic incidents on this section of the A5 from 2017 to 2021, with 45 in 2019 and one in five of these (20%) resulting in ‘serious’ injuries to one or more people.

The corridor is one of the Midlands’ most important east-west connections and is at the heart of the “Logistics golden triangle” bounded by the M1, M6 and M69. This is an area of the country from which drivers can reach 90% of the population within four hours, a very important location for logistics firms.

Integrated Transport Programme Lead, Swati Mittal said:

“The A5 corridor is home to a million people, sitting at the heart of the so-called Logistics Golden Triangle and supporting major employment sites such as Magna Park and MIRA. Anything we can do to upgrade the route is vital for residents, commuters and businesses in the area.

“With improvements, Midlands Connect believes the route has the potential to provide an alternative route to our congested motorways and support significant housing and employment growth.”

Sarah Edwards, Member of Parliament for Tamworth said:

“Fixing our roads is a priority and plays a major part in our economic productivity and development. We must get our road networks fit for purpose.

“The A5 plays a crucial role for commuters across the West Midlands, my constituents in Tamworth included, and it is important that appropriate funding and support is made available to ensure it can keep delivering for residents. I have written to the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure investment in road infrastructure supports our constituency and its prospects for growth.”

Bill Cullen CEO of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and chair of the executive of the A5 Partnership said:

“What these findings demonstrate is that the A5 continues to be a significant route through the Midlands, but we must unlock the blockages with key road investment in priority areas of the corridor to ensure it continues to support economic growth and remains fit for purpose.”

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for strategic highways Mark Deaville said:

“Improved connectivity is a priority to the county council and the A5 corridor is a key east/west route in the south. The M42 junction is particularly busy and congested at peak times which we hope can be addressed. As a centre for the logistics sector, especially with the development of the West Midlands Interchange, we need effective and efficient transport routes to help grow our economy. This route also supports our visitor economy, particularly with attractions like Drayton Manor Park and the National Memorial Arboretum. We wholeheartedly support any moves to upgrade the corridor and remove obstacles to growth.”

Councillor Ozzy O’Shea, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“While the A5 is managed and maintained by National Highways, we fully support the work being done to secure improvements.

“As the highway authority, we know problems such as bridge strikes, congestion and accidents are having a detrimental impact for our residents throughout Hinckley as well as the villages in the south of the county.  The A5 isn’t functioning, and we share the views of partners who are calling for improvements to be prioritised and additional funding made available.

“Securing and delivering improvements on the A5 also resonates with the core themes of our draft new Local Transport Plan, which include supporting growth and boosting the local economy, improving people’s health and reducing the impacts of traffic on our communities. The urgent need is there to improve the road.”

Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals