M54

For detailed information about this topic, see Roads.org.uk Motorway Database

View from Middle Hattons Bridge

The M54 is a motorway linking the M6, Wolverhampton and Telford to North and Mid Wales. The Wellington Bypass section was originally allocated the number A5(M) before becoming M54 prior to opening.

The first section through Telford opened in 1975, with the eastern extention to Wolverhampton and the M6 opening in 1983.

In order to improve the environmental impact of the motorway, it is almost entirely within cutting between junctions 2 and 5, with now-mature tree and shrub growth on the emankments, and so it is very easy to become disoriented as to the exact location along the motorway - something that Driver Location Signs now assist with. Junction 5 was originally to the east of its present location, and was a half-diamond junction with A5. This was moved to the present location when the motorway was extended eastwards, and paid for by the Telford New Town Development Corporation in order to give better access to the Town Centre.

Early Planning

Three route options from the early 1970s

The section between J5-7 opened as planned and isn't covered here.

Detailed proposals for the section between the M6 and J5 were first established in 1969. Three basic corridors were investigated along with several variations within each. The earliest studies favoured the southern route as built as the preferred option but this didn't stop work on refining the other routes. The middle route was withdrawn sometime between 1971 and 1972 leaving just the northern and southern routes. It is known that in 1972 Shropshire County Council supported the northern route while Telford Development Corporation and central government supported the southern route. By now the northern route gained an additional junction at Crackleybank. Shropshire County Council produced revised plans omitting this junction and made improvements to Pickmere Roundabout saving five houses and around £200,000 at 1972 prices. They recommended these changes to the Department of the Environment whose response is not known.

The southern route meanwhile had numerous different lines to be investigated. These were gradually narrowed down to the point that in early 1971 the preferred route was established which matches the line perfectly of the motorway as built 12 years later. In 1973 this route was confirmed by the government effectively killing off the northern route for good.

Following a review of the roads programme and as a result of lower traffic forecasts, as reported in the Policy for Roads: England 1978, it was scaled back to D2M instead of the original D3M and the long drawn out public inquiry meant it was not opened until 1983.

One member of the Midlands Road Construction Unit recalled that the route of the M54 was "very political" and "the most difficult project" that the RCU had dealt with.

Services

Telford services

Main Article: Telford services

Telford services opened in 2003, and are located a short distance away from junction 4 along A464. During the planning phase, the MSA was known as Shifnal services as it was outside the Telford town boundary. It is a small single-site MSA operated by Welcome Break.

Opening Dates

For detailed information about this section, see Roads.org.uk Motorway Database: M54 Construction Timeline

Future Plans

An improved connection at the eastern end to the M6 (north) and M6Toll is currently being planned.

Main Article: M54 to M6 Link

Links

Roads.org.uk

• Motorway Database: M54

Pathetic Motorways

• A5(M)