M6 motorway drivers face ‘landmark’ change under Labour government

Drivers could see traffic volumes slashed by 80% as a landmark motorway project gets the green light.

12:59, 28 Aug 2025

M6 motorway drivers face 'landmark' change under Labour government

Drivers could benefit from a major change as a motorway scheme gets the green light in a huge boost. Drivers could see traffic volumes slashed by 80% as a landmark motorway project gets the green light.

Labour Party Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has given the go-ahead for a major new link road between the M54 and M6 motorways in the West Midlands. The new project could reduce traffic on existing local roads by around 80%, according to the DfT.

The M54-M6 link road is expected to deliver huge economic benefits across the Midlands, including in Telford, Shrewsbury, Cannock [1] and Wolverhampton.

Ms Greenwood said: "Everyone knows how frustrating it is to be stuck in traffic, especially when trying to get to work.

"This brand-new link road will help create simpler and easier journeys for millions, better connecting people to jobs and driving growth as we deliver our Plan for Change."

She highlighted that the scheme represents "just one of the many road projects we have given the green light."

The Labour MP for Nottingham South toured the existing route alongside West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker.

Ruth Ross, Chief Executive, Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The transport and logistics sector is a very important part of the Shropshire economy - our central location is an incredibly powerful selling point when it comes to marketing the county for inward investment.

This only works, however, if we have reliable and efficient transport links.

Article continues below

"This link road project will level the playing field for Shropshire, making it just as easy to access the northbound carriageway of the M6 as it has been for the southbound route for many years.

"If it reduces congestion on surrounding roads and cuts down travel times, it can only be good for business and for the appeal of Shropshire as a destination."

Adam Hilton, Managing Director of EAC Telford, said: "A direct motorway connection between the M54 and the M6 north will significantly reduce congestion on surrounding roads, improve reliability for deliveries, and make travel times far more predictable."

References

^ Cannock (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
^