ACCESS

The site lies to the east of Junction 5 of the M5 motorway. There are three road routes to the motorway, as follows:

1. Wychbold Road ( Blue Route ). The Wychbold Road is the shortest route from the site to Junction 5 of the M5. It is signposted as HGV route with the qualification of height restriction of 4.3 m. This route serves the site via a southern access to the development and places the site some 2.2 miles from the motorway junction.

2. Stoke Prior Road ( Pink Route ). This route connects the site to the A38(T) to the south of Bromsgrove. The A38(T) in turn connects the site to Junction 5 of the M5 to the south west and Junction 1 of M42 motorway to the north. This route is also a designated HGV route but is qualified by a height restriction and gives a travelling distance of some 3.9 miles to Junction 5.

3. Hanbury Road ( Green Route ). The Hanbury Road passes along the north eastern boundary of the site and joins the M5 at junction 5. This route is also a designated HGV route but has no height restrictions, giving a distance from the motorway to the site of some 8.3 miles.

The most direct route from the M5 to the site has a height restriction due to low headroom at a bridge under the Birmingham to Bristol railway line. Discussions have been held with Railtrack with regard to the programme for reconstruction of the bridge to improve clearances. Railtrack have indicated that a new bridge could be in place within two years of request. The site does however have two alternative routes with Route 2along Hanbury Road having no height restrictions.

The planning authority accept that the height restrictions will not prevent development of the site.