Plans for the long-awaited upgrade of Junction 10 of the M5 are set to take a major step forward next week.

Gloucestershire County Council was awarded £219million through the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund in March for the scheme, which will provide access to and from the motorway in both directions.

The new junction and improvements to the adjoining A4019 would support development to the north and west of Cheltenham, including the landmark Cyber Central scheme.

And next week the council's cabinet will be asked to agree the contract.

Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: "The council has seen the upgrade of Junction 10 as a priority for the county for many years.

"I hope cabinet will once again give their backing to this scheme which will cut unnecessary journeys and pave the way for affordable housing, cyber jobs and for the future of central Gloucestershire."

Discussions with Homes England are underway so the contract can be signed as soon as possible while the council has increased the pace of the project to meet the challenging delivery programme.

A public consultation is planned to start in autumn 2020 with an exact location for the new motorway junction expected to be announced in spring 2021.

A further consultation linked to the planning application will follow.

The new junction will support areas identified for housing north and west of Cheltenham, as well as opening up employment land and helping to improve roads for the benefit of the entire county.

When the new junction is in place, drivers travelling south from north west Cheltenham will be able to join the motorway without travelling across the town to junction 11, reducing congestion, unnecessary traffic pollution and improving journey times.

A new link road and associated junctions will be built linking the junction to the west of Cheltenham with improvements to the A4019, an upgraded junction at Coombe Hill and the expansion of the Arle Court Park and Ride site.

It would become a Park and Interchange - a hub with a number of transport facilities available.

Detailed planning for the upgrade is at an early stage, but additional facilities such as electric vehicle charging points and extensive cycle racking so people can ride in to town could be included.

What do you think? What benefits will an upgraded Junction 10 bring? Let us know your thoughts at mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk