Marcus Jones, Nuneaton’s Member of Parliament, has secured a parliamentary debate about the A5 trunk road between the M42 and M69, one of the busiest and most congested parts of the strategic road network.

Changes to the A5 are currently being made to facilitate the MIRA Technology Park and to improve the A5 Long Shoot junction, to make the junction safer and improve the flow of traffic on the A5 and the top of The Long Shoot.

Marcus believes that the changes will have a positive effect, but knows that a number of previous changes to The Long Shoot junction have not always met with the approval of local people. Marcus has been determined that the Highways Agency and road designers understand the locality and the concerns of local people.

He is keen to find a long-term solution to resolve existing problems with the flow of traffic and road safety issues at the junction of Watling Street and The Long Shoot and beyond. Marcus is therefore calling for a detailed study into this section of the A5 to find that long-term solution.

The local MP also recognises that local people must be informed and consulted on any future changes and has stressed that he is looking for the commitment to a study at this stage.

Commenting on the debate, which is set to take place later today, Marcus said: “This is an important opportunity for me to raise concerns about the A5 and the need for a viable, long-term solution to be found to address the road safety and air quality concerns many people have about this stretch of road.

“Whilst there is much work going on to make improvements to the junction of Watling Street and The Long Shoot, I am very keen to ensure that Government recognises the need for a long-term solution. A number of changes made previously have proven to be below par and it is imperative that the same mistakes are not repeated.

“This debate is intended to highlight my very serious concerns about this stretch of road, with a view to securing agreement from the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor that funding for a further in-depth investigation and feasibility study be made available.”