EC4V 4BG
NotificatioN of HeariNgs uNder rule 13(6)
of tHe iNfrastructure PlaNNiNg
(examiNatioN Procedure) rules 2010
HigHWaYs eNglaNd
m54 to m6 liNk road sectioN 91, 92 aNd 93 of
tHe PlaNNiNg act 2008
rule 13(6) of tHe iNfrastructure PlaNNiNg
(examiNatioN Procedure) rules 2010
Notice of HeariNgs relatiNg to tHe m54 to
m6 liNk road develoPmeNt coNseNt order
PlaNNiNg iNsPectorate refereNce: tr010054
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the dates, times and
locations set out below, open floor hearings, issue specific
hearings, and compulsory acquisition hearings (if required) will
be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary
of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) for
the examination of the application made by Highways England
for a Development Consent Order (“the DCO”) for the M54 to
M6 Link Road (“the Application”).
The Application was made to the Secretary of State for Housing,
Communities and Local Government (via the Planning Inspectorate)
under sections 14, 22 and 37 of the Planning Act 2008 on
30 January 2020 and was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate
for examination on 28 February 2020. The Application has been
given the Planning Inspectorate reference number TR010054.
summarY of tHe scHeme
The Application seeks development consent for the M54 to
M6 Link Road and would authorise creation of a strategic link
between the M54 Junction 1 and M6 Junction 11 (“the Scheme”).
The main aspects of the Scheme comprise:
• Replacement of the existing M54 Junction 1 with free flow
slip roads between the new link road and the M54. This would
allow the freeflow of traffic between the M54 and the new
link road in both directions and maintain connectivity with the
existing local road network, via three new roundabouts.
• Construction of a new dual carriageway between M54
Junction 1 and the M6 Junction 11. The alignment of the
carriageway would be located to the east of the existing A460
and the villages of Featherstone, Hilton and Shareshill and
west of Hilton Hall.
• Dark Lane would be stopped-up between the final property
and the junction with Hilton Lane.
• The realignment of Hilton Lane on a bridge over the mainline
of the Scheme. The bridge would be reconstructed on a
similar alignment and would provide sufficient clearance for
the new road.
• Provision of an accommodation bridge and access track
across the mainline of the Scheme to retain access to
severed land to the east of the Scheme. The route of the new
link road would then continue north to the east of Brookfield
Farm to link into the M6 Junction 11.
• Enlargement of the M6 Junction 11 signalised roundabout to
accommodate a connection to the new link road and realign
existing connections with the A460 and M6. Two replacement
bridges would be required over the M6 to provide an increase
in capacity from two lanes to four lanes of traffic on the
roundabout. This work would raise the height of the junction
by approximately 1.5 metres.
If the DCO is made by the Secretary of State for Transport, it
would allow Highways England, for the purpose of constructing,
operating and maintaining the Scheme, to acquire compulsorily
interests in and rights over land, including the power to create
and acquire new rights over land, and to take possession of and
to use land temporarily.
The DCO would also make provision for development, which
would constitute associated development together with other
ancillary matters, including those related to the temporary
and permanent stopping up of streets, public rights of way
and private means of access in the vicinity of the Scheme;
reclassification of roads and the amendment, disapplication
and modification of relevant legislation.
HeariNgs
The Examining Authority’s letter dated 29 January 2021 contains
a programme for the examination of the Application, including a
number of hearings. Those hearings taking place in March 2021
will be held at the dates, times and locations set out in the
table below.
date Hearing type time Place
Tuesday 16 to
Thursday
18 March
2021
and Tuesday
23 March
2021
Open Floor
Hearing
(if required)
Issue Specific
Hearing
(if required)
Compulsory
Acquisition
Hearing
(if required)
Hearing times
will be made
available
on the M54
to M6 Link
Road project
page of the
Planning
Inspectorate’s
website.
Virtual event
Join by
digital
device or
telephone
using
details to be
provided by
the Planning
Inspectorate
*All participants will be required to attend a scheduled call
(arrangement conference) prior to each hearing. As the hearings
will be held virtually, this will allow the Planning Inspectorate to
explain the format, review connections and admit participants to
the virtual hearing.
Any hearings further to those listed above will be advertised by
one or more further notices. In accordance with Rule 13(3) of
Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010,
as amended, the Planning Inspectorate will also notify interested
parties of the date, time and place fixed for each hearing.
for more information on these hearings, the examination
of the application and full timetable (and any amendments
to it), including how and when to register to speak at the
hearings and how and when to make written submissions,
please contact the Planning Inspectorate using the details
below, or visit its website where procedural decisions and
notices of hearings are available to download.
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/
west-midlands/m54-to-m6-link-road/?ipcsection=overview
coPies of tHe aPPlicatioN documeNts
Copies of the Application documents, including the draft
Development Consent Order, the compulsory acquisition
information (including the Land Plans, Book of Reference,
Funding Statement and Statement of Reasons) and the
Environmental Statement can be viewed and downloaded
online at the Planning Inspectorate’s project website:
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/
west-midlands/m54-to-m6-link-road/?ipcsection=overview
If you cannot view these documents on-line, Highways England
can send you a USB stick free of charge. Please contact
Highways England to request a USB stick as follows:
email: M54toM6linkroad@highwaysengland.co.uk
telephone: 0300 123 5000
furtHer iNformatioN
Further information about the Application, the hearings and site
visit, how to take part in the Examination and any other matters
covered in this notice may be obtained from the Planning
Inspectorate or Highways England M54 to M6 Link Road team
using the following contact details:
the Planning inspectorate Highways england
Post: During the current Covid-19
period and in the interests of public
health, the Planning Inspectorate
would request that written
correspondence should be directed
to the following email address:
Email: M54toM6linkroad@
planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Phone: 0303 444 5000
Website: https://infrastructure.
planninginspectorate.gov.uk/
projects/west-midlands/
m54-to-m6-link-road/
?ipcsection=overview
Please quote the Application
reference number TR010054 in any
correspondence with the Planning
Inspectorate about this Scheme.
Correspondence about this
Scheme should be marked for the
attention of the Case Manager.
Post: During the current
Covid-19 period and in
the interests of public
health, Highways England
would request that
written correspondence
should be directed to the
following email address:
Email: M54toM6linkroad@
highwaysengland.co.uk
Phone: 0300 123 5000
Website: https://
highwaysengland.co.uk/
our-work/west-midlands/
m54-to-m6-link-road/