The multimillion pound investment is one of the country’s most significant road developments in years, designed to eliminate traffic bottlenecks
Gloucestershire is set to see a major transformation in its travel infrastructure with the A417 Missing Link project, which promises to be one of the county’s most pivotal road upgrades in recent times. The initiative aims to enhance safety, alleviate traffic jams, and bolster connectivity between the Midlands and the South.
A new dual carriageway is being constructed to link two crucial motorways, aiming to eradicate notorious traffic snarls and prevent drivers from using local roads as detours. The “Missing Link” itself is a notorious three-mile single-lane section on the A417, stretching from the Brockworth bypass to the Cowley Roundabout in Gloucestershire.
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In November 2022, the Government greenlit a £460 million investment to transform the current single carriageway into a state-of-the-art dual carriageway.
National Highways has highlighted the importance of the A417/A419 route as it provides an alternative link between Gloucester and Swindon, circumventing the M5 and M4 near Bristol.
The planned route will partly trace the existing A417 corridor west of the Air Balloon roundabout, while a new segment will forge a fresh path south and east, skirting around the current road, reports the Express.
Additionally, the project includes constructing a new Shab Hill junction to facilitate connections between the A417, A436 towards Oxford, and Birdlip, as well as a new junction close to Cowley to take over from the existing Cowley Roundabout.
Moreover, the current A417 stretch between the Air Balloon and Cowley roundabouts is set for a revamp: sections will be transformed into exclusive routes for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians, while other parts will remain accessible to local residents.
Yet, motorists in Gloucester should brace for disruptions as the A417 will be shut between the Air Balloon roundabout and the A429 Burford roundabout across three weekends.
The A417 is slated for temporary closure from the Air Balloon Roundabout to the A429 Burford Road junction over three weekend intervals this summer. The planned shutdowns are scheduled from 11pm on Friday 25 July until 6am on Monday 28 July, from 11pm on Friday 1 August to 6am on Monday 4 August, and once more from 11pm on Friday 29 August to 6am on Monday 1 September.
These closures form part of the ongoing enhancement works and are likely to impact travel within Gloucestershire during these periods.
National Highways Senior Project Manager Celine Acard commented: “We’re making good progress on the scheme but to maintain the programme we need to employ the full closures on this section to facilitate essential work on the utilities chambers.
“We fully appreciate that road closures can be frustrating, but we’re unable to carry out the work while the road is open to traffic.
“We’ve planned the diversions to minimise disruption, we’re anticipating an additional 25 minutes to drivers’ travel time and in the meantime we thank people for their co-operation and patience, and advise people to plan ahead and allow a little extra time for their journeys.”
