Highways England explores A417 ‘Missing Link’ options
Known locally as the ‘missing link’ at Air Balloon roundabout, this stretch of single carriageway road between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout restricts the flow of traffic on a key route which is otherwise a continuous dual carriageway between the M5 at Gloucester and the M4 at Swindon.
Upgrading this section to dual carriageway will help unlock Gloucestershire’s potential for growth and secure opportunities for housing and jobs, as well as improving life in the adjoining local communities.
Two options are being presented following a detailed consideration of potential routes to upgrade this three-mile stretch of the A417. The improvement is being made possible by the Government’s £15bn investment in motorways and major A roads and will be delivered by Highways England.
The A417/A419 route passes through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and so any solution will be designed sensitively to meet the special character of the landscape, environment and history.
Project manager Mike Goddard said: “This is your opportunity to get involved in developing the right solution for this well-known Gloucestershire traffic hotspot. We urge everyone to tell us what they think of the two proposals so we can deliver a scheme that will support growth and prosperity.
“Improving this missing link will be a benefit to local residents, users of this important route, and those accessing the walking routes of the Cotswold Way and the Gloucestershire Way. Reducing unpredictable delays will encourage motorists to stay on the A417 with reduced journey times, leaving local roads less congested.
“We have worked with local partners to offer a safer route while recognising this very special area. We are keen to hear from drivers, businesses, local residents and other road users, and we invite them all to visit us at one of our exhibitions, or respond to the information available online or at one of our local information points.”
The consultation starts on 15 February and closes on 29 March, with public exhibitions being held at the following:
- Saturday 17 February 2018 11am – 6pm National Star College, Ullenwood,GL53 9QU.
- Thursday 22 February 2018 12pm – 8pm Elkstone Village Hall, Hill View, Elkstone, GL53 9PB
- Friday 23 February 2018 11am – 6pm Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall, Pillcroft Road, Witcombe, GL3 4TB
- Saturday 24 February 2018 11am – 6pm St Andrews Church Hall, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1SP
- Sunday 4 March 2018 11am – 6pm GL1 Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DT
- Thursday, 8 March 2018 12 noon – 8pm Henley Bank High School (formerly Millbrook Academy) Mill Lane, Brockworth, GL3 4QF
Consultation booklets and feedback forms will also be available at the following public information points:
- Crickley Hill Visitor Centre, Crickley Hill, Birdlip GL4 8JY
- Gloucester Library, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HT
- Cheltenham Library, Clarence Street, Cheltenham GL50 3JT
- Cirencester Library, The Waterloo, Cirencester GL7 2PZ
- Stroud Library, Landsdown, Stroud GL5 1BB
- Hucclecote Library, Hucclecote Road, Gloucester GL3 3RT
- Brockworth Community Library, Moorfield Road, Brockworth GL3 4ET
- Coleford Library, The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford GL16 8RH
- Gloucestershire County Council, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG
- Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester GL7 1PX
- Tewkesbury Town Hall, High Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5AL
For further information on the consultation go to the consultation page: www.highways.gov.uk/a417-missing-link
