Drivers to get a feel for new A417 upgrade in significant traffic switch

Motorists travelling along the A417 will soon begin using a newly constructed stretch of dual carriageway as the A417 Missing Link project reaches another major stage of delivery.

The change forms part of the wider programme to improve one of the South West's most important transport corridors, creating a continuous dual carriageway connection between Brockworth and Cowley and strengthening links between the M4 and M5 motorways.

To facilitate the switch, National Highways will implement a temporary traffic management arrangement following a full weekend closure of the A417, A436 and the A46 Brockworth junction to the Air Balloon roundabout. The closure will begin at 8pm on Friday 26 June and remain in place until 6am on Monday 29 June.

Once the route reopens, traffic will be diverted onto approximately two miles of newly built carriageway that will eventually become part of the permanent A417 alignment.

The milestone also marks the permanent closure of the existing section of A417 between the Air Balloon junction and the current B4070 connection. That section of road will be transformed in future for use by walkers, cyclists and other non-motorised users.

Project teams have carefully sequenced construction activities to allow progress on the scheme while maintaining access for road users and minimising disruption wherever possible.

Celine Acard, National Highways Senior Project Manager for the A417 Missing Link scheme, said:

“The progress made on the A417 Missing Link has been truly significant, and this latest milestone reflects the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in delivering this vital scheme.

“Once completed, the upgrade will bring many benefits that will transform journeys, improve reliability and safety, and bring long-term benefits for local communities, businesses and visitors alike. By switching traffic onto this new section now, it enables us to keep the road open for the travelling public, while minimising disruption and protecting our workforce.

“We appreciate the work is likely to cause significant delays in the area and we advise people to plan ahead, and to consider alternative routes where possible, particularly at peak travel times.”

Drivers using the temporary alignment will encounter a different road layout, including reduced lane widths and a temporary 40mph speed limit. Traffic will be routed along the new carriageway from the Ullenwood junction, passing beneath the scheme’s green bridge and through the newly constructed Shab Valley interchange.

The temporary arrangement is expected to remain in place for a minimum of five weeks while construction continues on other parts of the project.

National Highways has also indicated that additional closures affecting the A417 and A436 are likely during July, with further details to be announced once plans have been finalised.

Information on diversion routes, pedestrian access and traffic management arrangements will be made available through National Highways’ A417 Missing Link project updates as work continues towards completion of the long-awaited scheme.

The A417 Missing Link remains one of the most significant road improvement projects currently under construction in the South West, with the completed route expected to deliver safer journeys, improved connectivity and greater reliability for road users travelling between Gloucestershire and the wider strategic road network.