A HUGE plan to improve a major road through the town in a bid to cut congestion and reduce the number of serious accidents has been revealed.

Government transport body Midlands Connect has revealed its 20-year vision to “future-proof” the busy A46 which runs through Evesham.

The package of work includes improving junctions, roundabouts and reducing congestion at pinch points along the route.

The busy A46 route in Evesham has been the scene of several serious and fatal crashes in recent years.

A six-mile stretch of the road between Evesham and Beckford has seen nine deaths and almost 50 accidents in the last five years.

Cllr Bradley Thomas, leader of Wychavon District Council, said improvements to the A46 were an important part of eliminating accident blackspots.

“The district council has been a leading voice championing the case for the A46 around Evesham and the wider area,” he said.

“A46 investment is key to solving road-safety black spots and broadening opportunities that underpin the vitality of our towns, villages and wider community.

“I welcome this continued focus on the infrastructure that is critical to the local and national economy.”

Congestion in Evesham has previously been highlighted by Midland Connect as a major issue and which was having a “detrimental impact” on the town and acting as a “hindrance to growth.”

Earlier this year, West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin called for action to reduce the risk of dangerous accidents along the A46.

She said: "There is a long-term vision for improving the A46 but in the short term, I have asked National Highways to urgently look into measures to improve road safety along that road and especially the stretch between Evesham and Aschurch through my constituency.

"Progress has been glacial but in recent weeks I have been chasing the local team to press on with measures such as the speed indicator signs, to try and reduce the serious incidents on this dangerous road."

Improvements are also being made to ease congestion around the A46/B4035 roundabout in Evesham as part of a multi-million-pound bid in ‘levelling up’ money to the government by Wychavon District Council.

Midlands Connect said the improvements to the 155-mile route between Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire would boost the economy by more than £7 billion over the next 60 years.

As many as 600,000 new residents, 150,000 new jobs and 250,000 new homes are expected along the route by 2041.

The vision was revealed at Midlands Connect’s A46 conference in Coventry on Tuesday (June 14).

Midlands Connect chief executive Maria Machancoses said: “The conference highlighted the urgent need for a long-term, national, and holistic approach to improving the A46 corridor.

“I was delighted to see so many leading representatives from local government, industry, trade bodies and local organisations.

“As our speakers attested, it is crucial that this road continues to prosper and grow and to remain a key place of physical and digital connectivity for all. 

“This is truly a levelling up programme and we will continue to work with the National Highways and the Department for Transport to make it a reality.”