Warwickshire County Council is urgently seeking an extension to a crucial HS2 funding deadline that would enable £2.5 million to be allocated towards major road improvements at a key junction in Coleshill.
Funding Deadline Pressure
The highways authority secured Capital Investment Fund money for the A446 Coleshill Junction project back in October 2020, with the scheme forming part of an £8 million-plus pot provided by the HS2 Road Safety Fund. However, time is running out for the authority to use the outstanding £3.3 million, as the Department for Transport requires all money to be allocated and spent by the close of 2026.
Council documentation admits the project "cannot be delivered" within this timeframe because the junction sits on an HS2 haul route. Highways experts will now seek approval from HS2 to amend timescales, allowing construction to proceed without detrimental impact on primary works.
Coleshill Junction Improvement Plans
The proposed improvements aim to enhance capacity and safety for all road users at the roundabout where Birmingham Road and Stonebridge Road intersect. The junction project was viewed as a logical progression to help the area manage heightened traffic resulting from earlier town centre works designed to improve traffic flow.
Alongside additional capacity, the scheme explores installing two staggered toucan crossings over the A446 to enable pedestrians and cyclists to reach local facilities safely. Pavement improvements are also planned as part of the comprehensive safety upgrade.
Financial Reallocation Strategy
The project initially received just over £2 million from CIF, with total costs anticipated to reach £2.378 million. However, the council's most recent financial performance figures show an overall expected expenditure of £2.003 million.
According to a report by head of strategic planning and infrastructure Garry Palmer, "As this scheme is already on Warwickshire County Council's capital programme funded by CIF, the allocation of HS2 Road Safety Funding represents a funding swap with a commensurate benefit to WCC in terms of capital expenditure."
Despite appearing to have a surplus, an additional £300,000 allocation currently earmarked for smaller projects along HS2's route in Warwickshire may still be transferred to the A446 scheme if it remains unspent by December 2026. Council officers will work with elected members to identify opportunities to allocate these funds to deliverable schemes before the final deadline.
The report confirms: "In order to meet HS2's funding deadlines, any funds from this final £0.3 million that cannot be spent before the end of 2026 will be reallocated to the A446 Birmingham Road, Coleshill Junction scheme. This will ensure that the county council is able to spend 100 per cent of the funds allocated to us by HS2."
The recommendations are due to be approved by deputy leader and portfolio holder for finance and property Councillor Stephen Shaw of Reform UK, representing Polesworth, on Friday, November 21.
