The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that construction on upgrades to the A38 strategic road near Bromsgrove in southwest England will start in the coming weeks.
The ministry said that the scheme – officially called the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme - is backed by around €50 million in government funding against the total projected construction cost of nearly €58 million. Worcestershire County Council is providing the remaining €8 million.
The upgrade work should reduce journey times around Bromsgrove, creating new opportunities for cycling and walking and boosting connections to the English cities of Birmingham, Bristol and Gloucester.
The upgrade focuses on a 6.5km stretch of the A38 between M42 Junction 1 to the north and the junction of A38 with B4094 Worcester Road in the south. The junction improvements will reduce journey times for local buses, making bus services more reliable and punctual, according to Richard Holden, roads minister. Real time passenger information will be installed at bus stops along the route to provide passengers with live updates and help them plan their journey.
The government said a contractor “will be appointed shortly and work will begin on the improvements later this year”.
