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Gloucestershire Business News

Two options revealed for ending the A417 Missing Link misery

After years of debate two proposals have finally been announced for removing the bottleneck on the A417 road at Nettleton Bottom.

The new £500 million road would see the removal of the existing Air Balloon pub and roundabout if approved.

But suggestions of putting the new road in a tunnel to protect the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Beauty have been rejected as too costly.

The two proposed routes are detailed in a consultation document. Click consultation page  for more information.

Highways England has launched a public consultation exercise which started today and continues until Thursday March 20. Full details are at the end of this article.

The notorious Missing Link near the Air Balloon roundabout is a single stretch of single carriageway road creating a dangerous bottleneck on a key national route which is otherwise a continuous dual carriageway between the M5 at Gloucester and the M4 at Swindon.

Upgrading this section to dual carriageway will help unlock Gloucestershire's potential for growth and secure opportunities for housing and jobs, as well as improving life in the adjoining local communities.

Two options are being presented following a detailed consideration of potential routes to upgrade this three-mile stretch of the A417. The improvement is being made possible by the Government's £15bn investment in motorways and major A roads and will be delivered by Highways England.

The A417/A419 route passes through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and so any solution is likely to attract criticism.

Project manager Mike Goddard said: "This is your opportunity to get involved in developing the right solution for this well-known Gloucestershire traffic hotspot. We urge everyone to tell us what they think of the two proposals so we can deliver a scheme that will support growth and prosperity.

"Improving this missing link will be a benefit to local residents, users of this important route, and those accessing the walking routes of the Cotswold Way and the Gloucestershire Way. Reducing unpredictable delays will encourage motorists to stay on the A417 with reduced journey times, leaving local roads less congested.

"We have worked with local partners to offer a safer route while recognising this very special area. We are keen to hear from drivers, businesses, local residents and other road users, and we invite them all to visit us at one of our exhibitions, or respond to the information available online or at one of our local information points."

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Gloucester City Council, said: "I am delighted that at last Highways England has published its preferred options to upgrade the A417 missing link near to the Air Balloon.

"This is a very busy stretch of road that is congested and hazardous. It is of course the main road link from Gloucester to London and the south of England.

"The government is promising £500m to build the new road, with a start date on the construction in 2021. Gloucester Liberal Democrats will be holding the government to account to make sure they deliver this transport upgrade as promised. We shall also be looking at the two options and identifying our preferred option."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Public consultation events where you can see the proposals and meet with members of the project team will be held as follows:

Saturday, 17 February,  2018, 11am to 6pm, National Star College, Ullenwood, GL53 9QU

Thursday, 22 February, 12pm to 8pm Elkstone Village Hall, Hill View, Elkstone, GL53 9PB

Friday, 23 February, 11am to 6pm, Witcombe and Bentham Village Hall, Pillcroft Road, Witcombe, GL3 4TB

Saturday, 24 February, 11am to 6pm St Andrews Church Hall, Montpellier Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1SP

Sunday, 4 March, 11am to 6pm GL1 Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester, GL1 1DT

Thursday,  8 March, 12pm to 8pm Henley Bank High School (formerly known as Millbrook Academy), Mill Lane, Brockworth, Gloucester, GL3 4QF

Public information points

Crickley Hill Visitor Centre, Crickley Hill, Birdlip, Gloucester GL4 8JY

Gloucester Library, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HT

Cheltenham Library, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JT

Cirencester Library, The Waterloo, Cirencester, GL7 2PZ

Stroud Library, Landsdown, Stroud, GL5 1BB

Hucclecote Library, Hucclecote Road, Gloucester, GL3 3RT

Brockworth Community Library, Moorfield Road, Brockworth, GL3 4ET

Coleford Library, The Main Place, Old Station Way, Coleford, GL16 8RH

You can also call Highways England on 0300 123 5000 or email

A417MissingLink@highwaysengland.co.uk with your views.

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