Staffordshire could see jobs boost and economy benefits if the A50 is upgraded

A freshly released economic assessment by Midlands Connect today shows improvements at Uttoxeter and neighbouring junctions at Blythe Bridge and Sudbury on the A50 can result in significant benefits of £116 million to the economy and over 2000 jobs.

The new study shows that if the upgrades in and around the A50 at Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge and Sudbury are delivered by 2031, 2192 jobs could be created. It could see 470 in Stoke-on-Trent, 520 in East Staffordshire, 194 in Newcastle-under-Lyme, 151 in Staffordshire Moorlands and 241 in Stafford.

The impact could also be seen further afield with 200 roles created in Derby, 111 in Erewash, 167 in South Derbyshire and 104 in North West Leicestershire.

A further 34 new roles would be created in the Derbyshire Dales. Analysis also suggests that Uttoxeter and East Staffordshire and Derbyshire Dales could see a small but signifant boost in household income due to improved connectivity.

All of this would deliver an estimated £30 million jobs boost to Uttoxeter and East Staffordshire. It would also be worth £24 million to Stoke-on-Trent and £11 million to Newcastle-under-Lyme.

This is due to the combined wider benefits the scheme provides as a part of A50/A500 corridor to improve strategic connectivity between economic centres. These agglomeration impacts are the result of improved access to commercial and residential land and properties.

This fresh economic boost is above and beyond the previously known economic figures related to the delivery of the A50 central section upgrades.

Midlands Connect's Roads Programme Lead, Swati Mittal, said:

“This wider analysis shows greater extent of previously not calculated economic benefits that would be more likely to accrue, particularly around the Uttoxeter area if we upgrade the A50. But those benefits don’t stop in Staffordshire, they ripple out to Derby, Derbyshire and even into rural areas like Derbyshire Dales.

“All of this means more jobs, more money in the local economy and small but significant boosts to household incomes.”

Jacob Collier MP, Member of Parliament for Burton and Uttoxeter, said:

"This report makes crystal clear what many of us in Staffordshire have long known – upgrading the A50 is not just about easing congestion, it is about unlocking opportunity. The improvements around Uttoxeter, Blythe Bridge and Sudbury could mean thousands of new jobs, stronger local businesses, and millions of pounds flowing into our economy. For families and employers in Burton, Uttoxeter and across our county, this investment would be transformational. I will continue to press for these upgrades to be delivered as quickly as possible so our communities can reap the benefits."