End in sight for roadworks with new slip-road in Coventry to open
A new slip-road will open in Coventry next week as major roadworks in the south-west of the city start coming to an end after lengthy delays.
The slip-road off the Ring Road towards the Butts will open from the morning of Monday, May 22, a council spokesperson said.
Works at Spon End and the Butts, including 24-hour lights and lane closures, are set to finish at the end of July, the council said.
The projects were launched in a bid to avoid a clean air zone being imposed in Coventry.
Such a step could lead to charging zones for motorists driving in certain parts of the city.
The work that is being carried out aims to reduce air pollution in hotspots including Holyhead Road.
The changes include road widening to remove a pinch point in Spon End and a remodelling of junction 7 where the roundabout and car park will be removed.
But the works in Spon End have caused havoc for local businesses and residents who saw their trade hit and feared for their homes.
The scheme, originally set to finish in April 2023, was hit with delays due to problems acquiring the Black Horse pub, as well as issues with utilities leading to a redesign.
Its June end date has been delayed further to the end of July because of a need for more water and gas work, the council said.
The council’s new highways programme put the finish date for both roadworks as October 2023 – but this appears to be a precaution in case anything unexpected happens.
Other phases of the air quality scheme are set to open in the coming weeks.
This includes Upper Spon Street which will get a new shared cycleway and footpath, and be open from the end of June.
Croft Road – the other side of junction 7 to the Butts – also has 24-hour lights and lane closures. Work there will be completed in mid-August, according to the highways programme.
All of these dates are subject to change, the programme states.
Asked about the Spon End and Butts Road schemes, a council spokesperson said:
“The current completion date is set for the end of July – although phases will be open before then – including the new slip road off the Ring Road towards the Butts. This will open from the morning of 22 May.
“We plan to lay the final surfacing in the Spon End between 3 July and 8 July with the lining and traffic lights completed just after that.
“The reason for the delay – from the previously advised June to July finish – was due to the need for additional utility work by Cadent Gas and Severn and Trent Water.
“The work is part of our aim to improve air quality in the city and we would like to thank people for their patience.”
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