A556 Project February 2017 update - Part 1

I have been following the A556 project for almost 2 years. from the initial ground works through to construction of new bridges and the road itself. Now the main project to construct the new road is in the final phase of construction and the new A556 alignment is due to open at the end of March.

Once the new alignment opens the existing A556 will be detrunked and renamed the B5569, the exiting road will provide improved access for local traffic, cyclists and equestrians. Work to detrunk the current A556 is expected to take place between Autumn and Winter 2017.

For some background information on the project you can find my first blog from March 2015 here

Facts and figures
  • 51,000 vehicles per day currently use the A556
  • Cost of the project £191.9m
  • A new 7.5km grade separated dual carriageway will be constructed
  • 130,000 tonnes of tarmac used
  • 300 people employed on site at the height of construction
  • 5 new overpasses constructed 
  • The main contractor for the project is Costain
During my latest visit I took a large number of images so have split this update into 2 parts. This first part will begin at the M6 junction 19 heading north to the new junction with the A50. You can read part two here, which details the project from the M56 heading south to Chapel Lane.


Work to tie-in the new road into the exiting M6 junction 19 is well underway, barriers are being installed and signs erected. The carriageway has been surfaced to within a few meters of the junction, the remaining surfacing will take place between February and March.

The image below was taken from junction 19 and shows the new carriageway, the bridge at the bottom of the image will provide pedestrian access between Old hall lane and the old A556 alignment. The bridge in the background will provide vehicle access between Old Hall Lane and the old A556.

The bridge in background will connect Old Hall Lane with the old A556 alignment

The image below shows the the new carriageway as it approaches junction 19, the final tie-in work is due to be completed over the coming weeks.

New approach to M6 junction 19 from the new A556 alignment

Old Hall Lane pedestrian access

As the new Old Hall Lane bridge was not yet open the next bridge I visited was that of the new A50 overpass, this bridge was completed and opened to traffic in August 2016. The old A50 alignment has since been removed, the compound which served the site has also been removed, the area is now being landscaped, with fences and barriers also being installed.

The compound which severed the A50/A556 junction works has been removed

The image below shows the new carriageway looking north to the M56, to the left the entry slip from the A50 onto the A556.

Looking north toward the M56 from the new A50 over-bridge

The image below is looking south from the A50 overbridge towards the M6, the bridge in the background is the "green bridge" which will allow wildlife to safely cross the new road between what was one single habitat.

Looking south toward the M6 from the new A50 overbridge

The curved section of road in the image below will carry traffic from the new roundabout on the A50 to the northbound A556.

New slip road connecting the A50 with the A556 NB

A number of night time and weekend closure have been announced as work to tie in the existing road to the new road continues. You can find up to date information regarding planned closures on he A556 Facebook page

Part 2 will show progress from the M56 heading south to the new Chapel Lane bridge.


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