Latest news and progress on the A38 Bromsgrove improvements
See updates on the various schemes and stages within the improvement programme.
Autumn 2024 Update
Drainage
Before any major highway project kicks off, we start by installing new drainage systems and relocating essential services like water, gas, electricity, and telecom lines.
Right now, we're putting in oversized drainage to help prevent downstream flooding by slowly releasing excess rainwater. Plus, we've added oil interceptors to catch any contaminated runoff from the road.
Relocating utilities takes careful planning - surveying, designing, coordinating with utility companies, and booking road space. After excavation, the services are either carefully shifted or replaced and connected to minimise disruptions. This sets the stage for building the new road, footways, and verges.
Next time you're on the A38, you'll see some areas cordoned off - this is where all the action is happening!
Invasive Species Update
As part of our site preparation, our contractor is actively removing Himalayan balsam. This invasive non-native plant, listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, poses a threat to local ecosystems. It can outcompete native species and create dense growths that block water flow, potentially leading to localised flooding. To prevent these issues, it’s best to remove Himalayan balsam before it flowers. Rest assured; all plant material is disposed of safely at an approved location.
Tree Replacement Initiative
As part of Phases 1 and 2 of the A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme, we planted well over 400 native and naturalised trees. Unfortunately, some trees may be lost due to factors like animal damage, vandalism, and dry conditions. To address this, we conduct a “beating up” exercise to identify and replace any lost trees. We’re currently assessing which trees have failed, and replacements will be planted this late autumn and winter. We are committed to planting at least two new trees for every one that is lost, along with providing bat and bird boxes to support local wildlife.
What is Traffic Management?
When we work on major roads, Traffic Management is essential to keep everyone - drivers and workers - safe. Traffic Management includes things like barriers, cones, signs, temporary traffic lights, and speed limits to control traffic while work is underway.
We must approve all Traffic Management plans, and we aim to keep roads fully open. However, sometimes we need to narrow lanes or use temporary signals, especially when work like drainage installation is happening on one side of the road. In rare cases, roads might need to be fully closed, usually at night, to minimise disruption. If this happens, we'll post signs for detours and give advance notice.
While Traffic Management is in place, we maximize efficiency by completing multiple tasks in that area. For example, during a recent night closure, we also cleared out blocked drains.
Remember to follow all signs, signals, and speed limits when near Traffic Management zones. For everyone’s safety, never move the barriers or cones. Stay safe and alert!
September 2024
We undertook a consultation to remove trees on New Road in the vicinity of the junction with A38 and on the A38. All representations received were carefully considered and discussed at a Street Tree Review Panel on Tuesday 27 August 2024.
It was considered that the engineering works on the A38 and New Road are imperative for the purposes of achieving the objectives of the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme. There is no alternative solution that would significantly reduce the number and extent of tree loss along the A38 northbound. However, an alternative engineering solution is being considered to reduce the level of tree loss where road widening is nominal. These areas shall now be classified as “at risk of damage or removal” rather than “removal”. If the alternative engineering solution is deemed unsuitable then all the trees highlighted for removal during consultation shall need to be removed.
As for the trees on New Road, west of the A38 , these will inhibit the engineering works and with no alternative engineering solutions having been identified that would allow the trees to be retained, the decision was therefore made for these trees to be removed. An alternative engineering solution is being considered to reduce tree loss on New Road, east of the A38. Most of this area shall now be classified as “at risk of damage or removal” rather than “removal”, noting an area shall still require tree removal to enable the works. If the alternative engineering solution is deemed unsuitable all the trees highlighted for removal during consultation shall need to be removed.
Tree removal for this scheme shall be no earlier than 2 October 2024.
21 June 2024
Consultation on proposal to remove trees:
- on Charford Road in vicinity of the junction with A38
- on Stoke Road in vicinity of the junction with A38
- on A38 Stoke Road and A38
More information on how you can have your say can be found here: Why do we need to remove trees to deliver BREP?
The consultation finished on 19 July 2024.
14 June 2024
Consultation on proposal to remove trees on New Road in vicinity of the junction with A38 Bromsgrove.
More information on how you can have your say can be found here: Why do we need to remove trees to deliver BREP?
The consultation runs until 12 July 2024.
10 May 2024
Consultation on proposal to remove poplar tree on A448 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove
More information on how you can have your say can be found on the Why do we need to remove trees to deliver BREP? page.
The consultation finished on 7 June 2024.
January 2024
As preparation for works starting on the A38 BREP begin, notices have been put up around the areas of Scheme B (A38 between Buntsford Drive and Charford Road) and Scheme E (Oakalls Roundabout) in the last couple of weeks.
These contain information on the removal of vegetation adjacent to the A38 Redditch Road and Stoke Road as well as two footway closure lasting approximately 1 week each at Oakalls roundabout.
Vegetation clearance
The removal of vegetation will be kept to a minimum to enable the improvements to the junction. Replanting of trees (native and specimen) and ornamental wildflowers and shrubs will follow construction.
The plans in the links below provide an indication of the vegetation to be removed, vegetation at risk of being damaged or removed as well as the reinstatement of new trees and shrubs, and where bulb or wildflower planting is planned. The plans show proposals along A38 Stoke Road towards and around the Stoke Road and Sherwood Road roundabout Junction.
For any questions or queries please contact, email: A38BREP@Worcestershire.gov.uk
Crossing closure
Works are planned to begin at Oakalls roundabout, with the removal of central pedestrian islands.
There will be closures of the existing public footway crossing points at the northern traffic island and the southern traffic island on the A38. These closures and diversions of the public footway are necessary to carry improvements to the crossings, including signalisation.
The images below shows the section of closed footway and the diversion route for pedestrians and cyclists.
The closure and diversion will be in place for approximately one week.
The image below shows the northern traffic island closure and pedestrian diversion route.
The image below shows the southern traffic island closure and pedestrian diversion route.
Should you have any specific queries, please contact the A38 BREP team on their dedicated email: A38BREP@worcestershire.gov.uk
December 2023
Multi-million pound works to improve the A38 in Bromsgrove are due to start in early 2024, with a major contractor for the scheme now announced.
The Council has signed a contract with Colas, a world leader in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, for the delivery of seven schemes along the A38 as part of the latest phase of the County Council’s A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP).
This will form part of the wider A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme, with further schemes being delivered through existing the Council contracts by Griffiths Habitat and species surveys to reconfirm previous findings are now underway, with works on the scheme due to begin in the early 2024.
This will include works on the carriageway along the A38 and the removal of vegetation to allow for junction improvements, including improved capacity and better cycling and walking facilities.
The ambitious programme will help to tackle congestion, improve local journey times, encourage active travel and support new jobs and homes.
The A38 currently experiences significant congestion at peak times leading to unreliable journey times for residents and businesses and is set to worsen if the improvements are not made.
The project will see capacity improvements at key junctions together with localised road widening, thereby helping to improve traffic flow and reduce unnecessary bottlenecks along the route between Junction 4 of the M5 to the north and the A38/B4094 to the south. Improvements will be made to cycling facilities including the provision of an active travel route between the train station and the town centre which will include new road crossings.
This will improve safety and provide more options for active travel. Real Time Information will be installed at bus stops along key routes crossing the A38 which will provide passengers with live updates to help them plan their journeys better.
The total cost of the A38 BREP is just over £50 million, with the Department for Transport committing to provide just over £43 million and the remainder from local developer contributions.
The government department confirmed funding on 3 August 2023, with then UK’s Road Minister Richard Holden visiting Bromsgrove to see where the upgrades are set to happen.
For any comments or questions please contact the project team inbox on A38BREP@worcestershire.gov.uk
August 2023
The Council has been successful in gaining approval for more than £43 million to invest in improvements to the A38 in Bromsgrove.
The ambitious scheme will help to tackle congestion, improve local journey times, encourage active travel and support new jobs and homes.
The A38 currently experiences significant congestion at peak times leading to unreliable journey times for residents and businesses and is set to worsen if the improvements are not made.
The project will see capacity improvements at key junctions together with localised road widening, thereby helping to improve traffic flow and reduce unnecessary bottlenecks along the route between Junction 4 of the M5 to the north and the A38/B4094 to the south.
Improvements will be made to cycling facilities including the provision of an active travel route between the train station and the town centre which will include new road crossings.
This will improve safety and provide more options for active travel. Real Time Information will be installed at bus stops along key routes crossing the A38 which will provide passengers with live updates to help them plan their journeys better
The total cost of the scheme is c£50 million, with the Department for Transport committing to provide just over £43 million and the Council providing the remainder, largely funded by contributions that developers are required to make to improve transport infrastructure.
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