Posted on Monday 28th October 2019
Highways, road improvements, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Cannock
A main traffic island junction in Cannock will be resurfaced next month as part of a wider package of improvements on surrounding roads in preparation for the opening of the £160 million McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands.
The Lodge Lane island junction connects the A5 and A460 at Churchbridge and is being improved as part of a wider scheme to pave the way for the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock, which is set to be completed in 2020.
The scheme will provide access to the development and improve traffic flow on surrounding roads. Resurfacing works will take place overnight for 15 nights from Monday November 4. This phase will be completed on November 22. In order for the works to be carried out safely the roundabout will be closed to all traffic each night between 8pm and 5am. A signed diversion will be in place.
McArthurGlen has committed £15million to the improvement scheme, taking place at Churchbridge and the A460 Eastern Way.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Helen Fisher said:
“Work to improve the roads ahead of the opening of the MacArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock is on schedule. This phase of the works sees major improvements to this busy island junction.
“Unfortunately we will need to close the island to traffic to carry out work but we are doing this overnight to minimise disruption. A sign diversion will be in place.”
“We understand these works are causing disruption and would again like to thank people for their patience while road closures are in place. The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is a hugely important development for Staffordshire and the wider region. It will create jobs and bring visitors into Cannock, boosting the local economy. Before this happens, the infrastructure needs to be in place and we are making every effort to get works completed as soon as possible.”
Cannock Chase Council granted planning approval for a designer outlet at Mill Green in September 2016 following extensive consultations with the local community. On-site construction of the outlet started last summer. When it opens in autumn 2020, this new landmark retail destination and community hub will create 1,000 jobs for the local area.
The road improvements will include:
• Access and improvements on the A460 Eastern Way, Churchbridge interchange and Orbital Way.
• Widening the A460 Eastern Way to a dual carriageway and creating slip roads to the designer outlet.
• A new underpass and access to the site from the A460, new footpaths and cycle ways.
• Widening both the eastern and western A460 legs at the Churchbridge junction to provide two lanes in both directions
• Widening Orbital Way on the eastbound side, improving the Lodge Lane and Churchbridge roundabouts and installing new toucan crossings on Eastern Way.