Stoke-on-Trent’s newest road will officially open to traffic on Monday.
Motorists travelling around the city will be able to use the brand-new Etruria Valley Link Road during the evening rush hour on Monday 23 January.
The new road – which connects the A500 at Wolstanton to Festival Park – is set to become a key transport route for the city.
It features a new 10 space viaduct over the West Coast Mainline and Fowlea Brook, a new bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal and a brand new roundabout complete with an impressive Spitfire statue.
Work started on constructing the £43 million project in October 2020. It has been delivered by Balfour Beatty on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Council.
The aim of the new 1.2km road is to help alleviate traffic and congestion on the A500, A53 Etruria Road and surrounding areas as well as improving access to the Etruria Valley Enterprise Zone.
During the construction phase:
- 13,125 tons of concrete was laid;
- 807 tonnes of steelwork was installed;
- 262,000 man hours have been worked;
- 857 people have been inducted to work on the scheme;
- And 20 permanent jobs have been created.
From Monday 23 January, work to support the multi-million pound scheme will begin at the junction of Grange Lane (A527) and Church Lane (B5368) in Wolstanton.
The work will see the existing junction upgraded to help improve traffic flow and minimise congestion.
The work – which is expected to take four weeks – will see the existing signalised junction converted into a mini roundabout complete with signal-controlled pedestrian crossings.
The majority of the work will be carried out during daytime hours but there will be a small period - towards the end of the project – where night-time closures will be required to enable the carriageway to be resurfaced.
Councillor Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for regeneration, infrastructure, and heritage said: “We are in the final stages of one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects Stoke-on-Trent has seen in decades.
“This final piece of work will see an upgrade to the junction which will improve traffic flow whilst also ensuring pedestrian safety, especially being so close to St Wulstan’s Catholic Church and Primary School.
“We thank residents and vehicle users for their patience during this time.”
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