West Midlands Interchange Quarterly Project Newsletter
|
|
Welcome to the spring edition of the West Midlands Interchange newsletter. Sharing our latest updates to keep you connected with everything that is happening, including:
- Project updates and upcoming works
- How WMI invested £65k to support local initiatives
- Highlights from our Community Liaison Group in March
- Shaping future careers for local students for National Apprenticeship Week
- Ways you can stay connected with the project
|
|
|
Work started on A5 Watling Street between M6 J12 and A449/A5 Gailey Roundabout in January to construct a new access roundabout as part of the development. The construction is being delivered in phases, with a new joint foot and cycle path being constructed on the eastbound carriageway currently underway. The overall completion is expected to be complete in early 2027.
Progress across the site is continuing according to plan, with significant structural and infrastructure milestones now well underway. Take a look at our November 2025 drone survey below which shows the ongoing work.
|
|
Upcoming construction work
|
|
Reinstatement works on A5 Watling Street between the A449/A5 Gailey Roundabout and Gailey Bridge will take place overnight during two separate closures. The first one on Monday 13 April to remove the temporary barrier currently in place, and the second on Wednesday 15 April to install road markings. To facilitate this work safely, full overnight road closures will be in place on the A5 between A449/A5 Gailey Roundabout and M6 J12 from 8pm to 6am the following morning. Signed diversions will be in place via the A449, M54, A460, and M6. Property access will be maintained.
Following the removal of the current traffic management, the eastbound footpath between Gailey Bridge and the A449/A5 Gailey Roundabout will be fully re-opened for use. Please note, the footpath will likely need to be closed temporarily for future phases of work, which we will communicate in advance.
The next phase of work will include temporary two-way traffic lights on the westbound carriageway from Monday 20 April to Monday 8 May to install street lighting ducting across the carriageway and access points.
|
|
£65,000 Community Fund fully allocated
|
|
The WMI Community Fund has officially allocated £65,000 to supporting a wide range of local projects that will enhance public spaces, community facilities, and the future 109-acre community parks at the WMI site.
These projects will deliver lasting environmental, social, and recreational benefits for communities close to the development.
We’ll be sharing a full blog story next month highlighting all funded projects in more detail. In the meantime, you can read about one of the applicants which we’ve previously updated on at this link.
Stay tuned for the full update coming soon.
|
|
Community Liaison Group – March 2026
|
|
|
Last month we held our most recent Community Liaison Group meeting at Penkridge Village Hall. Find out more here.
|
|
National Apprenticeship Week: Shaping Future Careers
|
|
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we took the opportunity to share just some of the inspiring students building their futures here at WMI. Sharing experiences from apprentices like Viktoriia, who is gaining hands-on experience on site while working towards her qualifications.
It’s been great to shine a light on these journeys and show how opportunities like this can open doors for local people. So far, WMI has supported over 400 weeks of apprenticeships, helping young people across Staffordshire take their first steps into rewarding careers.
We’re truly proud to be part of these stories and to support the next generation as they learn, grow, and shape their futures. More inspiring stories like Viktoriia’s can be found on our Facebook page (West Midlands Interchange – WMI).
|
|
|
To keep you informed about upcoming traffic management, we have an interactive map and traffic management calendar for all your latest updates on the project website: www.westmidlandsinterchange.co.uk/.
You can also:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
