Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

£7.5 million plans to tackle commuter bottleneck edge forward

Landowners alongside the major Gloucester artery that is Llanthony Road expect to hear soon on council plans for £7.45 million of improvements.

A scheme has been tabled by the county council to widen the carriageway of the A430 to two lanes to help traffic flow into and past the city.

But it is a scheme impossible without the purchase of privately owned land alongside the road adjacent to Llanthony Priory.

All will become clearer, however, after Wednesday's (January 30) meeting of the council's cabinet in which it will consider allowing the project leads to apply for compulsory purchase orders.

According to the council "the orders would only be required if ongoing negotiations with affected landowners alongside Llanthony Road delay the scheme significantly".

Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council, said, "This scheme is vital to help keep Gloucestershire moving and support economic growth in the county.

"The Llanthony Road section of the Gloucester South West Bypass creates a bottleneck for traffic, frustrating commuters, residents, visitors and businesses alike and I'm delighted that we are getting closer to making the necessary improvements.

"The planned widening, along with the other improvements, will reduce congestion and journey times, but to do this we need to secure the necessary land to make it possible.

"Negotiations with landowners are going well, and we will always try to work with landowners to get a positive outcome. We are hopeful that all landowners will continue to work with us, but if required, the council does have the powers to compulsorily acquire the land necessary."

Nick Broady, one of the land owners, said no approach had yet been made by the council.

"We are waiting for the meeting and an offer," he said.

The Gloucester South West Bypass is seen by the local authority as an important link from the city centre to the M5 motorway, and the Llanthony section is the only section still waiting to be improved.

The proposed scheme will see the section between Llanthony Road and St Anne Way widened and the traffic lights refurbished in a bid to improve traffic flow.

The side road junctions will also be improved and there will also be improvements to pedestrian crossings and facilities for cyclists.

A decision on proposed planning permission is expected later this month, February 2019.

Other planned dates:

• Planning decision expected February 2019

• Land acquisition negotiations are due to be completed in 2019

• Site preparation and demolition of any buildings is estimated to be June 2020.

• The main scheme road works will start in 2020/21.

Related Articles

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise Image

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise

Forest of Dean-based advanced engineering group Versarien saw its revenues halve last year.

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service Image

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service

Gloucester-based Freemans Event Partners has launched a brand-new around-the-clock foodservice logistics offer.

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court Image

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court

Just three offices are now available for rent at Elmbridge Court, following the latest letting.

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking Image

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking

Better parking and traffic control improvements for Cirencester residents and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.