Local drivers face almost a year and a half of roadworks if a major route for the city is upgraded.

Narrow lanes and a 40mph speed limit would be rolled out for 75 weeks at the A46 Walsgrave junction to allow improvement work.

A stretch of the dual carriageway linking the city with M6 and M69 motorways would also be closed at times while work takes place. It means motorists could be diverted down main roads in residential areas at night and on weekends.

National Highways want to build a new separated junction and link road on the A46 at Walsgrave, part of Coventry's eastern bypass. They say the project will cut congestion and make journeys quicker and safer on the busy road. 

Details of their plans have been sent to the government for a decision.

If it goes ahead work would start in autumn 2026 at the earliest and finish in spring 2028, documents with the project say.

There would also be three months at the start without the need for any fixed traffic management.

But after this narrow lanes are set to be installed on the main A46 and B4082 link road and the speed limit will be reduced to 40mph, according to an "outline" traffic management plan.

The restrictions would last for almost a year and a half – 75 weeks – while six of the seven phases of work are carried out. Maps show the roadworks area would be roughly the same part of the A46 as the "improvement scheme" area outlined in yellow on consultation leaflets.

National Highways also expect full road closures of part of the A46 and linking B-road to Walsgrave will be needed at times while work takes place. The highway would shut for a stretch between the Binley roundabout and the M69/M6 junction.

The closure would only happen overnight – from 8pm to 6am – and at weekends, between 8pm on Friday and 6am on Monday. Drivers would be signposted to use main roads through the city's suburbs under the proposals.

Planned diversion routes are for 6-7km through Hinckley Road, Clifford Bridge Road and A428 Brandon Road, though details need to be confirmed. National Highways plans to use lane closures where possible instead to reduce disruption, plans add. 

The traffic management plan states the restrictions could change when detailed designs are drawn up. The plan will also be reviewed and updated every six months.

Overall, the building work on the scheme is due to take 22 months in total with the route set to open to the public in 2028.