Striking new images released by National Highways give a bird's eye view of the new A417 Missing Link upgrade in Gloucestershire entering its second year of construction.

Since work started in 2023, the progress being made on the scheme between Brockworth and Cowley - which will tackle congestion, improve safety and help support increased economic prosperity in Gloucestershire and the South West - is clear in these new images.

In the last six weeks alone, the project team have made huge strides on the schemes, including:

Completion of 25-metre-deep foundations and 360m3 concrete pour - setting the base - at Shab Hill in preparation for Gloucestershire Way crossing

Commenced piling at Stockwell Lane in preparation for the start of structure construction

Installed a contraflow at the old Cowley Rab (roundabout) location, reducing the speed limit to 40mph, installing CCTV and reduced lane width for safety

Continued monitoring of bats, birds, reptiles and badgers, with new young animals spotted, confirming the translocation exercise was a success

Safely closing Stockwell Lane to allow for construction of the new road and bridge

Moved a staggering 428,846 cubic metres of earth, nearly half of what needs to be moved during construction

Opened its doors to the public throughout the summer, with more open days set to come

Excavated 26 archaeology sites, with only one remaining

Steve Foxley, A417 project director for National Highways, said: "The A417 Missing Link is a vital scheme for the South West and we have pushed ahead on this much-needed scheme.

"We're delighted to have made so much progress, so quickly on the scheme and we can't wait to see customers get the full benefit of this vital upgrade.

"The upgrade will mean smoother, safer and more reliable journeys for drivers and we will build on the progress already made to deliver this new stretch of road as soon as we can."

Moving forward, the scheme is targeting several other milestones over the summer and autumn, including a new temporary tractor crossing, commencing work on the Stockwell overbridge, continuing with 7kms of new drystone walling, and wrapping up the archaeology, although two archaeologists will remain for the duration of the build.

A biochar trial is also due to begin, which will see the project team convert 200 tonnes of site wood chip into biochar at the Witcombe compound, along the A417, drastically reducing the project's carbon footprint and contributing to National Highways' net zero targets.

At Barrow Wake the project will commence building a new dry-stone wall and install new drainage.

To allow the team to complete the work safely, Barrow Wake viewpoint car park was closed on July 22 and will remain closed until March 2025. Local businesses will remain open as normal.

Leckhampton Hill will be closing 10 weeks from Monday, August 5, to Sunday, September 22, to allow the team to undertake road excavations, drainage and a new entrance to Crickley Hill.

The work will be delivered in three stages to minimise disruption, with more details and diversion routes available on National Highways' website.

Access to Crickley Hill Country Park will remain open at all times, and National Star College will be open as usual. During these closures, visitors can access the college via the approved diversion route.