Print Public Notice
R98 PNO
Notice in effect from 22 February 2021 until 08 March 2021
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/