New business hub motorway junction to open

A new junction on the M54 that will provide access directly onto one of the region’s top business sites will open on 11 December, it has been announced.

The development has seen junction two reconstructed to provide access onto the motorway network from i54 South Staffordshire. It is the first time a council has undertaken a major project on a motorway and has been a major draw in attracting leading global businesses.

Earlier this month HM the Queen officially opened the new Jaguar Land Rover engine plant and visited International Security Printers (ISP), a firm which produces stamps for an international market that recently relocated to the site. I54 South Staffordshire is already home to aerospace firm Moog and scientific analyst business Eurofins.

Staffordshire County Council has led the construction of the new junction two with its partners Wolverhampton City Council and South Staffordshire Council. The project has involved realignment of the junction, new link roads and slip roads built and a replacement 45 metre 500-tonne bridge installed across the M54. The developer partners Balfour Beatty carried out the project.

Staffordshire County Council’s economy leader Mark Winnington said: “Having a dedicated motorway junction to provide access directly onto i54 South Staffordshire is one of the major draws to the site and is why global business leaders have chosen to locate there. It has made the difference between here and other possible locations in the UK and internationally. This is the first time a council has undertaken a civil engineering project of this kind and to see it ready to open is rewarding for the partnership. It really justifies our investment and commitment to the project which will make a big difference to job creation and to our economy.”