Work to widen Llanthony Road in Gloucester to upgrade cycling and walking facilities and improve traffic flow begins next month.

The A430 Gloucester South West Bypass is an important link from the west and north west of the county and the city centre to the M5 motorway, and the Llanthony Road section is the only stretch still to be improved.

Site preparation work has been completed, following the necessary land acquisitions and the demolition of buildings to provide the extra space needed for the scheme.

The work on the Llanthony Road section of the A430, will see widening of the footpaths on both sides to incorporate a fully segregated cycleway and pedestrian path on the northern verge, and cycle priority over motorised users at side road junctions.

Widening of the carriageway to two lanes in each direction at this well-known pinch point, will help to improve the traffic flow on a major route through the city.

The scheme will also see St Ann Way widened to provide two right turn lanes into Llanthony Road, and new traffic lights at Sudmeadow Road to help traffic to flow better. The side road junctions will be upgraded and there will also be improvements to pedestrian crossings.

The funding for the scheme is coming from multiple sources including an allocation of £2 million from the government through the Gloucestershire GFirst LEP Growth Deal.

The UK Government has awarded the council £12.8m from the Levelling Up Fund for this scheme and the wider active travel vision for this area of the county, including the 26-mile Gloucestershire Cycle Spine which will pass through the centre of Gloucester.

The improved capacity provided by the Llanthony Road upgrade will complement the cycle spine by encouraging motorised traffic to use the Gloucester South West Bypass rather than city centre streets - making them more suitable for cyclists and pedestrians.

The county council has engaged Montel Civil Engineering as the principal contractor for the scheme with work currently set to start on site on 4 July.

The aim is to avoid construction work impacting on road users during the daytime, although there may be occasions where this is unavoidable. There will be a need for some overnight and weekend work - advance notice will be given for any traffic restrictions that will be required to keep the travelling public and the workforce safe during these periods.

To find out more and to meet the project team, Montel Civil Engineering are inviting local residents, businesses and commuters to a 'Meet the Contractor' event at the Gloucester All Blues RFC on Castle Meads Way, Gloucester, GL1 2JQ from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm on June 15.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for the Environment and Planning at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "I am really pleased that work will begin shortly on this vital project which will bring a wide range of benefits.

"Greatly improved walking and cycling facilities will encourage more active travel. We will also see reduced congestion, improved journey times, less air and noise pollution, and a boost for jobs through improved links to local businesses."

David Owen, CEO of GFirst LEP, said: "These improvements will help to improve the traffic flow on a major route from the city centre to the M5 motorway. GFirst LEP was pleased to secure £2 million via Growth Deal funding into this South West Bypass Improvements scheme.

"This investment went towards funding the business case for the overall project."