Businesses are being invited to have their say about a multi-million pound road improvement scheme aimed at removing one of Gloucestershire's most notorious congestion hotspots.

Two events will be held for businesses and residents to comment on the plans to upgrade a key section of the A430 Gloucester South West Bypass.

Currently a single carriageway, the Llanthony Road section is used by an average of 24,894 vehicles per day and would be the final stretch of the bypass to be upgraded under Gloucestershire County Council's programme of improvements.

During rush hour, a bottleneck often forms between Llanthony Road and St Ann Way.

Gfirst LEP has allocated £2million of central government money to widen the section of road as part of £4.9million upgrade.

However, to secure this funding, the county council must submit a bid to Gfirst LEP.

The scheme includes:

• Widening the road and adding additional lanes in both directions, converting the road from single carriageway to a dual carriageway;

• Separate right turning lanes for motorists turning into Sudmeadow Road, Hemmingsdale Road and Llanthony Road Business Park;

• New traffic signals at Sudmeadow Road with pedestrian crossing facilities;

• Increasing the width of the footways for pedestrians on both sides of Llanthony Road.

The first event for busineses and residents will take place on Wednesday, 5 July from 10am to 4pm at Sainsbury's car park, off St Ann Way.

The second will take place on Tuesday, 11 July from 4pm to 7pm at the Gordon League Rugby Club on Hempsted Lane, Gloucester.

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure, said: "The C&G and Walls roundabouts and the Elmbridge Transport schemes show we have a good track record for tackling congestion and supporting economic development in Gloucestershire.

"Currently the A430 Llanthony Road section of the Gloucester South West Bypass creates a bottleneck for traffic which this key scheme will tackle.

"This proposal to improve the final section of Gloucester South West Bypass is a positive step towards a faster-moving future for the county.

"I would urge businesses and residents to come along to an event and let us know what they think."

David Owen, chief executive of GFirst LEP, said investment in the transport network was essential for economic growth.

"This proposed investment will complete the Gloucester South West Bypass, providing a faster link between the south of Gloucester and the A40 west and Forest of Dean," he said.

"It will also improve access for development sites in the area, including the long awaited re-development of Gloucester City Football Stadium and enhance facilities for pedestrians.

"This investment very much compliments the other LEP investments in the area, particularly the Blackfriars and Quayside scheme and the A40/Over Roundabout improvements that will start in early 2018."

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