Posted on Friday 28th June 2019
Image of MacArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock
A temporary road closure of a main road in Cannock as part of improvements for a major retail development has been extended for a week so that essential utility works can be combined and to avoid future lengthy closures.
Gas service works will be incorporated into this phase of the scheme on the A460 Eastern Way to provide access to the £160 million development and improve traffic flow on surrounding roads
By combining the works at this stage, it will mean the risk of future closures will be greatly reduced A460 Eastern Way. This however means section between the Hayes Way roundabout and Lichfield Road roundabout will remain closed in both direction until Friday July 5.
The works being carried out by the county council will pave the way for the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock, which is set to be completed in 2020.
McArthurGlen has committed £15million to the improvement scheme, taking place at Churchbridge and the A460 Eastern Way.
Hayes Way will remain closed at its junction with the A460 throughout the works period.
Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport Helen Fisher said:
Our highways team has taken the decision to extend the current A460 closures in place for a further week to combine essential service works. While this is undoubtedly frustrating, by completing them now we can avoid future closures in the future.
We would again like to thank people for their patience and apologise for the closure extension.
The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock 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 McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock started last summer. When it opens in 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.