THE government is being asked for a whopping £41m to help relieve congestion on the A38 in Bromsgrove.

The A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme has been included in a priority list of schemes for government funding by transport body Midlands Connect.

The scheme is among 11 in the Midlands submitted to the Department for Transport, as part of a £3.5 billion fund available from 2020-2025.

It will include improvements between the B4094 Worcester Road to the south and the M5 Junction 4 to the north.

Plans include widening the main carriageway, improving junctions and a new walking/cycling bridge between Bromsgrove town centre and the train station.

The total cost of the A38 scheme is estimated at £47 million, including £6 million to be funded locally from public and private sector sources.

Councillor Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, added: “The A38 is extremely important for people travelling into and around the Bromsgrove area. Enabling traffic to flow better along the A38 and improving walking and cycling routes will provide a number of benefits, including reducing congestion and ensuring better access to housing and jobs."

Midlands Connect was empowered by the Department for Transport (DfT) to work with the 22 councils in its partnership to identify priority schemes.

Following rigorous assessment, Midlands Connect submitted 11 schemes, including the A38 scheme.

Simon Statham, from Midlands Connect, said: "This stretch of the A38 has many different functions; a link to the M5, a bypass for Bromsgrove, and a local access route for residents and businesses.

"Its popularity makes it congested and unreliable in several areas, making these improvements essential to the success of North Worcestershire.

"Worcestershire County Council provided compelling evidence that the scheme will help create new jobs and homes, ease congestion for road users and encourage more walking and cycling."