Two major road schemes to upgrade key junctions on routes in the Midlands have been given the go-ahead by the Roads Minister Stephen Hammond, after successfully completing the final stages of the planning process.

Improvements to the M1 junction 19 (A14) Catthorpe interchange near Rugby and A45 and A46 Tollbar End junction near Coventry, which are both used by over 90,000 vehicles a day, can now move to the next stage of development. This means the Highways Agency can now continue to work with contractors on progressing and completing detailed project designs for both schemes, with construction work due to start between January and March 2014.

Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said, “It is great that we have been able to give the green-light for both of these important interchanges and they can now move a step closer towards construction. These improvements are vital for the economy, but most importantly for motorists in the Midlands, in reducing congestion levels and making journey times quicker in and around these two busy junctions.”

The decision to progress both schemes is the result of the Department for Transport and the Department for Communities and Local Government accepting the planning and environmental recommendations made by independent inspectors. The reports outlining the recommendations for the M1 J19 (A14) Catthorpe interchange and the A45 and A46 Tollbar End junction can be found on the Department for Transport’s website, www.gov.uk.