As construction starts this month on the next phase of the A417 Missing Link project, several planned road closures will affect drivers in the area between the Air Balloon roundabout and the A46 Brockworth junction.

Full overnight closures will take place in both directions on weeknights only, between the hours of 9 pm each night and 6 am the following day (the road will reopen Saturday morning) on these dates:

• Monday 8 January to Friday 12 January
• Monday 15 January to Friday 19 January
• Monday 22 January to Friday 26 January
• Monday 29 January to Friday 2 February

Full weekend closure for A436 

On Friday 19 January, the A417 Missing Link will create a new site entrance near the Air Balloon roundabout, which requires National Highways to close a small section of the A436 and the top of Leckhampton Hill over the weekend, between 9 pm on Friday 19 January and 6 am on Monday 22 January.

This work will provide easy access for site vehicles making deliveries to the new site office and compound to keep traffic moving and minimise congestion.

A diversion route will be in place via the A46, A40, A435, A436 and has been agreed with Gloucestershire County Council.

The A417 will remain open in both directions but the A436 will not be accessible from the Air Balloon roundabout during this time. Crickley Hill Country Park and National Star College will be open for business as usual.

Daytime works on Leckhampton Hill will also start Monday 15 January for three weeks with temporary traffic lights in operation between 10 am and 4 pm.

The demolition of the Air Balloon pub has been completed and as a nod to its historic roots named after one of the first British balloon flights, a section of the repurposed A417 will be named the Air Balloon Way. Much of the pub's building materials will be recycled and reused to create outdoor furniture in the improved walking, cycling and horse-riding area.

National Highways regularly meets with Gloucestershire County Council, local residents and community groups, including a recent visit with the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP.