Major A417 upgrade proceeding

National Highways has awarded a £460 million contract to Kier to build a four mile stretch of dual carriageway on the A417 between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout in Gloucestershire. Referred to as the ‘Missing Link’, the new road has been planned to cure significant issues for road users living and working in the area, with congestion that is ‘frequent and unpredictable’, causing motorists to divert onto local roads.

This has the effect of causing difficulties for surrounding communities and the road network, which is unable to accommodate raised levels of traffic. Poor visibility has also led to serious accidents along this section of road.

The works will not only include the new stretch of dual carriageway, but also two new junctions, while some sections of the existing A417 will be converted into a route for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. New habitats will also be constructed, including eight miles of hedgerow, seven hectares of woodland, 15 hectares of native grassland and 72 hectares of calcareous grassland.