RESIDENTS are being given to chance to have a say on major plans which aim to relieve congestion on the A38 in Bromsgrove.

The route is one of Worcestershire’s busiest transport routes and the Advertiser revealed last year that it is set for a whopping £50 million of improvements.

Motorists driving through Bromsgrove currently experience major delays at key junctions, causing poor journey times.

Work began last year to make improvements to the junctions of the A38 with Barley Mow Lane, M5 Junction 4 and M42 Junction 1.

A new wider proposed programme of works is being developed to deliver more improvements between Lydiate Ash and the Hanbury Turn and consists of 12 individual schemes.

Some of the plans include widening the main carriageway, and a new walking/cycling bridge between Bromsgrove town centre and the train station.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: “This is a very busy route and one that is used for a wide range of journeys, from local trips into the town centre, to linking major road networks, such as the M5 and M42.

“We’ve already made a start on improving this corridor and these additional schemes would go a long way to improving reliability of journey times for those who have to travel by car."

A number of sessions are being held next week where people can find out more about the ambitious plans.

The county council will be holding five information session:

• Wednesday, February 5 at Finstall First School, 5pm to 7pm

• Saturday, February 8 at Bromsgrove High Street, 10am to 2pm

• Tuesday, February 11 at Catshill First School, 6pm to 8pm

• Thursday, February 13 at Lickey End First School, 5pm to 7pm

• Friday, February 21 at Avoncroft Arts Centre, 5pm to 7pm

Cllr Pollock added: “I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to come along to the sessions or look online and find out more about the proposed plans.”

More information, including maps of each of the 12 schemes, will be available on the Worcestershire County Council website in advance of the first session.

Any comments or questions must be sent to majorprojects@worcestershire.gov.uk before the deadline on March 20.

A funding application for £42 million to deliver the improvements was submitted to the Department of Transport (DfT) last year with the support of the transport body for the Midlands, Midlands Connect.

Some initial funding has already been secured through Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and Highways England.

A further contribution towards the scheme will also be provided by local contributions.

The county council has already received £850k of funding from the DfT at the end of last year to support the development of the 12 schemes.