Gloucestershire County Council has launched a consultation on its plans to change the M5 Junction 10 so that road users can join and leave the M5 in all directions.

M5 Junction 10 currently only has limited on and off movements because the slip roads only face to the north. This has put increasing pressure on already congested local roads and particularly on Junction 11, which provides access to and from Cheltenham on the eastbound A40.

After submitting a bid in March 2019 to Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), the county council provisionally secured £219 million for the proposed scheme in March 2020.

The M5 is managed by Highways England as part of the national strategic road network and so they are working closely with the county council to develop the proposals for the motorway junction and support the project as it moves forward.

As well as proposals to improve Junction 10, the consultation, which runs from October 14 to November 25, also wants to hear views on plans for a new road linking Junction 10 to west Cheltenham, an upgraded A38/A4019 junction at Coombe Hill and widening of the A4019 east of the new link road towards Cheltenham.

Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member for environment and planning said: "We have been working hard for a long time on our plans to improve this motorway junction as we know how vital it is to improve access to north west Cheltenham.

"This project will unlock land for housing and jobs and reduce congestion on local roads like Princess Elizabeth Way which will help to improve air quality in the town. I would urge people to get involved and have their say."

Sophie White, director of infrastructure grants at Homes England, said: "We are delighted that we are supporting the county council with this multi-million pound funding programme. This is an important milestone that brings us closer towards the delivery of the infrastructure that will enable the homes in the area to come forward."

Highways England project manager James Lewis said: "Our roads are vital for the country and its economic success - they connect businesses and communities and support employment and new homes.

"M5 Junction 10 provides a vital link for communities and businesses, and we are liaising with Gloucestershire County Council and Homes England, helping to deliver what will be a major upgrade of the junction.

"The improvement scheme will increase capacity, improve safety and journey times, and unlock the potential for new jobs and homes, and we will continue to work closely with Gloucestershire County Council and provide assistance and support as plans move forward."

To have your say visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/J10.