A46 Closure Causes Widespread Disruption: What It Means for Coventry Residents and Businesses
The A46, a key route connecting Coventry to Kenilworth and surrounding areas, is currently closed due to ongoing HS2 works. The impact is already being felt by commuters, businesses, and residents across the region.
The closure began at 8:00pm on Friday 11th April, and is scheduled to remain in place until 6:00am on 1st May to allow for the installation of a 14,500-tonne box structure beneath the road. This significant engineering feat is part of the ongoing HS2 railway development, designed to modernise the UK's transport infrastructure. However, while the long-term benefits of HS2 are much anticipated, the short-term consequences are being felt by many across Warwickshire — including right here in Coventry.
The affected section of the A46 runs between the A45 Festival Island and the A452 Thickthorn roundabout, with a lengthy signed diversion in place. But even with these measures, delays and detours are causing frustration for drivers and disrupting the rhythm of daily life for many.
Local Businesses Bear the Brunt
In Kenilworth, where the road closure is being felt most acutely, local businesses are already seeing a drop in customer numbers.
Ashley Davis, owner of Morning Sunshine Coffee in The Square, when speaking to the BBC explained:
"Half-term is normally a great time... It's definitely quieter than it would normally be at this time."
He went on to say that the closure was having a knock-on effect on staff punctuality as well.
"A lot of it's just the stress of which way they are going to go, which way they are going to get to work, how long that closure is for, really, the length of time it's going to take."
He added:
"For a lot of the businesses, when we had the weekend closures recently, it was a huge loss in turnover and in footfall."
It's not just business owners who are noticing the change. Regulars in the area, including long-time residents, are also seeing the effect of the traffic changes. Charles Smith, a retired local and frequent customer at the café, said:
"It's very disruptive for the town because so many of the access roads into the town are affected and we're seeing it this morning, where there's traffic build up in places where there isn't normally that much heavy traffic."
Community Hubs Affected Too
The impact stretches beyond just retail. The Kenilworth Centre, a community space offering services like a youth club, playgroups, and a pop-up café, has also begun to notice a change.
Sarah McCaffrey, the centre's manager, commented:
"We won't know the full impact, you know we've only seen a few adjustments pre it closing, but we'll see how that continues over the next few weeks."
These early adjustments could signal bigger shifts in how local people engage with community services during the disruption.
Concerns About Traffic Through Town Centres
With the official diversion route estimated to add up to 45 minutes to some journeys, locals are concerned that many drivers — especially HGVs — may opt to cut through town rather than take the longer, signposted routes.
Victoria, who runs Tree House Bookshop, expressed:
"We don't know yet the full impact as it's only just started, but people are very worried I think, both about the impact on commuters going to work, but also extra traffic through town."
She added:
"I can't believe HGV drivers are going to take a 45-minute detour, rather than just come through the centre of Kenilworth."
A Coventry Perspective
Here in Coventry, the A46 plays a vital role in daily life — connecting residents to Birmingham Airport, the M6 and M40, and towns across Warwickshire. The timing of the closure, coinciding with the Easter holidays, means many families heading away for the school break may find themselves caught up in unexpected delays.
This is especially important for those heading to the airport or long-distance journeys. From HS2-related works to carriageway upgrades and cycle lane installations, Coventry is no stranger to roadworks — but closures of this scale require extra planning.
Colin Lowther from National Highways reassured the public:
"We have free recovery on standby, the control room will be monitoring traffic."
Still, the next few weeks will require a lot of patience and flexibility from everyone affected.
How Loveitts Can Help
As a property business embedded in Coventry's community for over 175 years, Loveitts understands the ripple effect that transport issues can have — whether you're viewing homes, moving into a new rental, or managing property maintenance.
For those buying or selling property, or landlords trying to meet contractors, road closures can add another layer of complication. Our team is on hand to offer support — whether that means adjusting appointments or offering advice on how best to navigate affected routes.
Final Thoughts
While the A46 closure is a temporary measure, its impact is wide-reaching. With local businesses seeing reduced footfall, commuters facing delays, and community services adjusting schedules, it's clear that the next few weeks will test the resilience of residents and the infrastructure they rely on.
We encourage everyone in the Coventry and Kenilworth areas to check their travel plans, allow for extra time, and support local businesses wherever possible during this period.