The M42, A42 and A5 around Tamworth are a terrible sight.

Blocked drains, blocked gutters and silted up drainage channels, fly-tipping on the side of the road, abandoned traffic signs and rubbish everywhere on the central reservations give a poor impression of the town and wider area. 

There is also an art sculpture on the M42 / A5 island that all local agencies refuse to adopt, resulting in local councillors rolling up their sleeves and maintaining themselves.  

These major roads around Tamworth cross through a number of councils and responsible authorities. The A5 alone crosses through North Warwickshire by the M42, Tamworth Borough between the M42 and Ventura Retail Park and Lichfield District past Ventura Retail park. The A42 crosses several local authorities, M42 is under the responsibility of Highways England and Staffordshire County Council managing the joining roads.

As major A roads and motorways are often the responsibility of Highways England they need to show leadership in cleaning up these eyesore. This is a major and busy highway and they need to work with local partners and local councils to make a clean and tidy environment.

We call on Highways England to lead a multi agency project to plan for and clean up these major roads and show pride in Tamworth.