In February, the West Midlands Interchange project team met with members of the local community in Coven, Staffordshire for the quarterly Community Liaison Group (CLG) to provide project updates and a look ahead of upcoming work to keep local community informed.

Our updates included construction, planning, social value and community engagement updates.

Construction

Construction work is continuing, including completion of earthworks in the 50 series as well as elsewhere on site, and landscaping to Calf Heath Community Park.

In highways, construction to build two new laybys on A449 Stafford Road started in January 2025 and is programmed to be completed in Summer 2025. Traffic management is currently in place with lane closures from Gravelly Way to Gailey Roundabout, as well as a 40mph temporary speed limit. The current work involves excavating, drainage and signage installation which will be expected to be complete by May 2025 before moving on to the next phase of construction.

The project team addressed concerns on current traffic management with single nearside closures from Gravelly Way/Crateford Lane junction to Gailey roundabout, assuring that current signage and cone distribution is consistent with regulations.

Planning

Design work continues the community park, with continuing dialogue with the local planning authority to provide planting details. A pre-application is also in progress concerning a substation, whilst planning consent has been received for the Link Road east earth works. The link road west is currently in detailed design phase, supported by the Canal & River Trust, Inland Waterways and Network Rail.

Planning applications have recently been submitted for the A5 and Gravelly Way link road to relieve congestion from the A449. As well as three planning applications for Vicarage Road, which includes a the construction of a new roundabout, temporary parallel route for traffic during construction of the roundabout, as well as a new internal road to facilitate the construction of units 5010 and 5030.

Some concerns were raised about water entering Worcestershire Canal, however the project team assured attendees that any outfall in the canal would be continuously monitored in close collaboration with the Canal & River Trust to ensure high standards of water quality and to prevent any pollution.

Social value

Since construction work on site began in October 2023, the project team has employed five apprentices, provided eight work experience placements and delivered approximately 310 hours of curriculum engagement support.

Since October 2024, we have:

• Hosted 2 T Level students onsite to learn more about the construction work being completed as part of the project
• Delivered training sessions to students as part of Winvic’s Enrichment Programme
• Supported Year 11 students with mock job interviews
• Delivered an assembly to Year 7 students, as well as attending two career fairs to promote the work we are carrying out as part of the development and available career opportunities within the construction industry

The team is also awaiting final referrals for the next Roller Training Scheme, which aims to upskill local people into work.

Community Engagement 

The WMI community fund continues to welcome applications to support local community groups. To find out if you meet the criteria and want to apply, please click here: Community wellbeing funding | South Staffordshire District Council .

There are many ways to stay updated on the project, including:

• Subscribe to the WMI newsletter and sign for traffic updates: Contact | West Midlands Interchange
• Follow us on Facebook (West Midlands Interchange – WMI)
• If you’d like to have a look at the slides from the meeting, you can find these here. The next CLG will be held in Summer 2025.