Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet have approved extending their Highways budget to £220million - a crucial step along the road to improving Junction 10 of the M5 motorway.

At yesterday's cabinet meeting, councillor Nigel Moor sought approval for the proposals relating to the scheme that will see the junction become all-ways access to and from the motorway.

And after considering all the information, including the known proposals, alternative options and recommendations, the cabinet resolved to approve the proposal.

A series of resolutions were passed that allows the lead commissioner, High

way and Authority and cabinet member for environment and planning to facilitate the next phases.

That sees the Highways Capital Budget increased to £220million, pending approval from the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).

Money from the HIF will be used to build the junction due to its proximity to two key pieces of development land to the south west and west of Cheltenham.

As well as the proposed Cyber Central development which will be sandwiched in between the A4019 Tewkesbury Road and A40, there are plans for a huge 4,000 home development off the A4019.

Cabinet also resolved to recruit a dedicated project management team to the county council's Major Projects Team and conduct a "competitive procurement process" for all necessary contracts,

Once that process has been completed, contracts can be awarded to those who have put in a successful tender.

The cabinet decision is subject to call-in, whereby it can be challenged by councillors, although they only have a week to do so.

Once the deadline passes on November 21 the cabinet resolutions come in to place.

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