A project aimed at tackling traffic issues on a congested main route in Solihull is set to be hit with an 18 month delay.

The A34 Stratford Road Enhancement Study, a joint project between West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) was due to be completed in March 2027.

But a report to WMCA's Investment Board said the council has stated that an extension until September 2028 is needed to ensure the work is completed.

This will enable external consultants to undertake options development, put together a concept design and deliver an original business case (OBC).

A formal 'change request' for the 18-month time extension is expected to be submitted by SMBC next month.

The project was originally given the go-ahead in 2018 and has a budget of £810,000, more than half of which has already been spent.

A34 Stratford Road is a notorious arterial route in and out of Birmingham with a number of bottleneck points such as the Marshall Lake Road junction.

But, as well as tackling congestion pinch points, the study is aimed at supporting the regeneration of Shirley town centre.

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It also aims to boost public transport options and reliability through designing bus priority measures and preparing the infrastructure for the Sprint scheme and upgrading pedestrian and cycle facilities.

A report presented to Investment Board which met on Monday, October 19, rated the project as being 'red-rated' due to the delay.

The report said: "Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council have confirmed a time extension will be required for an additional 18 months from March 2027 to September 2028 to ensure project completion and enable work to be completed by external consultant to undertake option development, develop concept design and deliver SAF compliant OBC.

"A Change Request is expected to be submitted November 2026. The project is now off track in terms of delivery as a time extension is being requested."