A-road to close before drivers can use new layout

An A-road is set to close to allow for work to be completed that will enable drivers to use a new layout after years of disruption.

The A417 Missing Link scheme, which has been under way since 2023, should improve the connection between road sections at Brockworth and Cowley, Gloucestershire.

People should be able to drive on the A417 between Gloucester and Cirencester without having to negotiate the Air Balloon Roundabout - which is being removed - from Friday next week.

The A417 will be closed between the A46 Brockworth Junction and the roundabout from 23:00 on Friday 18 until 06:00 BST on Monday 21 September.

The road will then be closed between 21:00 and 06:00 BST from Monday to Friday of that week.

The new A436 and A417 will also be closed in both directions between the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout and A429 Burford Road overnight from 21:00 on Wednesday to 06:00 BST on Thursday.

National Highways, which is behind the £460m scheme along with contractor Kier, said the switchover was dependent on the weather.

Céline Acard, National Highways senior project manager for the scheme, said the upgrade would "transform journeys" between Gloucester and Cirencester and bring long-term benefits for local businesses.

"By switching traffic onto this new section now, it enables users to follow the new A417 from Gloucester to Cheltenham, improving journeys and safety while minimising disruption and protecting our workforce," Acard said.

"We appreciate this work may cause some delays when the layout first changes but we expect journey times to improve on the A417 following the switch."

Kier project director Gavin Jones said the A417 Missing Link project had "now reached the point that the 'missing' can be consigned to history".

He said: "We still have lots of work to do on the project and you will see us working alongside the live carriageway on the new A417, building the remaining lanes, plus we will continue to transform the old A417 into a footpath, bridleway and cycle route.

"We thank the public and stakeholders for their support to get to this important point and we appreciate everyone's patience whilst we finish the job."

Fully signposted diversion routes will be in place during the closure, National Highways said.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.