Views sought on proposed upgrade for key junction

The A5/A426 junction suffers from daily congestion, Midlands Connect says

A transport body says it hopes to upgrade a critical junction on the A5 in Leicestershire.

Midlands Connect, which works to improve transport infrastructure across the region, wants feedback from businesses about the busy junction at Gibbet Hill, where the road meets the A426 near Hinckley.

The junction, which provides connections between the M1 and M6, is the third worst bottleneck along the A5 corridor, the organisation said.

Midlands Connect is asking for the help of local businesses to build a case to put to the government for essential highway upgrades.

About 7,000 vehicles flow in each direction daily, causing heavy congestion and long queues which impact residents, businesses and commuters, Midlands Connect said.

The body estimates the junction on Leicestershire's border with Warwickshire is at 98% capacity every morning.

This area is one of the Midlands' most important east-west connections and is a key location for logistics firms, the organisation added.

Swati Mittal, roads programme lead at Midlands Connect, said: "An intervention in this area is necessary to facilitate growth, jobs and allow us to then look at other parts of the A5 in the years ahead."

Upgrades 'essential'

Ozzy O'Shea, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said he knew "congestion and accidents are having a detrimental impact on our residents throughout Hinckley as well as the villages in the south of the county".

Midlands Connect said speaking to businesses would play a major role in forming a plan it could take forward.

A spokesperson said: "To have the best chance of securing Department for Transport funding for these schemes, Midlands Connect wants to speak to local businesses about the challenges this congested junction creates and how improved movement at the junction would support their business operations.

"The views of local businesses will be essential in strengthening the business case for these essential highway upgrades."

Gwyn Stubbings said lorries used local villages as a "rat run" to avoid the junction

Gwyn Stubbings is a senior planning director with GLP, a company that is developing nearby Magna Park.

He said he had been frustrated over many years that nothing had been done to ease the pressure on the nearby junction.

Mr Stubbings told the BBC that GLP had put forward a scheme in 2019 to improve the junction but National Highways said it needed to conduct a review.

The firm instead made a financial contribution of £2.7m that is yet to be spent.

He added many vehicles take alternative routes through local villages to avoid the gridlock of the Gibbet Hill junction and he was pleased Midlands Connect was taking the initiative to solve the problem.