North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson has welcomed the news that Highways England is seeking to make improvements to the A417 Missing Link.
The Missing Link is a three-mile stretch of single-lane carriageway on the A417 between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout in Gloucestershire.
Last year Highways England held a public consultation on a set of proposals to improve this stretch of the A417. After careful consideration of all the responses and comments received, Highways England has confirmed the preferred route.
The option suggested will provide:
- a 3.4 mile dual carriageway surface route, following the alignment of the existing A417 at Crickley Hill with a reduced gradient
- a third lane ascending Crickley Hill, to provide one lane for slow moving traffic and two for general traffic
- a new section of road built through Shab Hill to the east of the existing A417, re-joining the road near Cowley roundabout
- a new junction at Shab Hill with links to Birdlip and the A436
- the removal of the Air Balloon and Cowley roundabouts
- a downgraded road between Air Balloon roundabout and a new junction at Cowley
The next step of the project is for Highways England to develop detailed design of the preferred route and confirm the land that will be required to construct the scheme. Following this a further consultation will be held for the public to give their opinions on the updated plans.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “The Missing Link causes many problems for drivers – causing congestion and tailbacks. In turn motorists divert to near-by routes, which are not suitable to accommodate such traffic and cause problems for those communities. I welcome Highways England’s announcement of plans to address these issues.”
