A5 Gibbet Hill upgrade: new data shows over 47,600 new weekly trips on junction by 2035

Data released today by Midlands Connect shows that by 2035, due to the economic success of the area, there could be 47,600 extra trips a week using the A5 Gibbet Hill junction.  This new data has been called ‘compelling evidence for the upgrades needed to make the junction fit for the future’.

If no investment is provided as traffic on the junction increases, highway performance at the A5/A426 junction is likely to be significantly reduced, with increased safety risks, increased delays, poor reliability, and longer journey times.

It expects to see increases in queues and delays at the A5/A426 junction, which will have knock-on effects on traffic to and from the M1 and M6, harming local and national connectivity. A decrease in the reliability of travel times will also hinder employment opportunities in and around Rugby. There is a present-day issue with the A5’s ability to operate as a diversion route. This is likely to deteriorate due to increased traffic, and specifically, increase HGV use during these incidents. 

New analysis shows that by 2035, there would be potential to unlock 1,125 additional jobs and 2,050 additional homes in the area. This will support the Government's economic and housing missions.

This is the forecasted growth from the area which would seek to use this part of the network. If this growth is fully realised, Midlands Connect predicts that an extra 6,800 vehicles daily would seek to use this junction on the A5. This would help to support the growth of key industries in the area and the logistics sector.

The current safety issues at this junction are also likely to increase without investment. Without intervention, additional congestion at the junction is likely to result in a drop in air quality in the area.

Midlands Connect, Roads Programme Lead, Swati Mittal said:

“The A5 at Gibbet Hill and specifically around Rugby is one of Midlands Connect’s priority road schemes, and this new data is more compelling evidence for the upgrades needed to make the junction fit for the future.

“The junction, if upgraded, could be a real engine of economic growth for the A5 and the whole country.”

Bill Cullen, Chief Executive of Hinckley & Bosworth Council and Chair of the A5 Executive Officer Group for the A5 Partnership, said:

“The A5 growth corridor forms the backbone of economic growth in the Midlands and urgently needs investment in schemes like this to ensure our roads and infrastructure keep pace with the significant inward investment taking place along the corridor. This is one of a number of key priority schemes identified by the A5 Partnership and Midlands Connect for investment between the M1 and M42.“  

Chairman of the A5 Partnership, Councillor Anthony Gillias, said:

"Businesses of all sizes that rely upon an effective road infrastructure to transport their products around the country, are continually pointing a finger at the inefficiency of the A5 corridor and how investment in this could benefit them into the future. 

"Local Authorities, such as Rugby,  have also identified that the pace of growth in their area is restricted because of the of the lack of investment in the A5 corridor, which should be moving all forms of traffic, in far greater volumes, both quickly and safely to the motorway networks from within the 'Golden Triangle' location. The A5 Partnership membership have understood for some time, that investment is absolutely paramount into the A5, all that is needed is government realisation of the future benefits to the national economy that this would bring!"