Award-winning highways scheme completes in Stechford

The circa £13 million Iron Lane junction improvements scheme has enhanced links to employment sites and local retail, reduced congestion and provided improved facilities for cycling and walking.

The works commenced in March 2019 and saw the former gyratory and traffic signals replaced with free-flowing roundabouts. Station Road was also widened, and a new bridge was constructed over the River Cole to provide two lanes in both directions.

The scheme also included five new pedestrian crossings, improved bus stops, and the introduction of a segregated footway/cycleway. It completed in April 2021 and was recently recognised by the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation at their West Midlands Awards, winning ‘Best Large Project’.  

Yesterday (4 August), representatives from Birmingham City Council, construction contractor McPhillips and the greater Birmingham and Solihull Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) attended an opening ceremony at the site.

Birmingham’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, Councillor Waseem Zaffar said: “These improvements, which have greatly enhanced the visual appearance of the area, will benefit pedestrian and cycle safety, significantly reduce congestion and delays, reduce traffic noise, improve air quality and will help to unlock economic growth through improved connectivity.

“It’s been a real team effort, overseen by Birmingham City Council with construction carried out by McPhillips and design elements undertaken in house as well as from consultants Aecom, Atkins and Jacobs. 

“I’m also grateful for the support from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, who part-funded this project with a £5m allocation from its Local Growth Fund programme.”

Paul Handley, Contracts Manager at McPhillips said: “As a West Midlands based contractor its satisfying to see the original ambition for the project delivered and already making improvements to the local area and passing traffic.  

“Exceptional teamwork between McPhillips, Birmingham City Council and the consultants was acknowledged in the recent award win and has been key to the scheme’s success.”

Ed Watson, Interim CEO at Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) said: “This award-winning transport scheme is one of many projects that has benefitted from our Local Growth Fund. 

“Through investing in our regional infrastructure, we are creating better places for everyone to work in and to live.  Our unique triple helix partnership structure of working with authorities, the private sector and our colleges and universities is critical to driving inclusive growth and improving the lives of our communities. 

“We are delighted to see Birmingham City Council’s project come to life and look forward to the opportunities it will create for economic growth in the area.”