A417 Missing Link temporary route - summer 2026

This summer, we'll move traffic to a temporary route on the A417 between:

  • A46 Brockworth interchange
  • the former Cowley roundabout.

This road will look and feel different:

  • it will have narrower lanes and a 40mph speed limit
  • we'll reduce the A417 between A46 Brockworth junction and Air Balloon roundabout to one lane in both directions.

Switching to the new section lets us work safely while keeping the road open.

It also marks the permanent closure of the existing A417 between Air Balloon and the existing B4070.

Working over the summer holiday period

We’re doing this now to stay on track to open for traffic (OFT) in 2027.

Any delays will impact the programme and delay the project.

Phase 1 - Monday 6 July

The new temporary route of the A436 and A417 opened on Monday 6 July.

It will be in place for at least five weeks, though dates can change due to unforeseen circumstances like weather.

These maps give you more details of the Phase 1 route:

A417 Missing Link temporary route overview
Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout
Shab Hill junction
Cowley junction
A417 temporary route maps (pdf)

Impact on journeys

We’ll do everything we can to minimise disruption.

However, there may be significant delays due to:

  • the nature of the works
  • the new road layout and reduced speed limits

Please plan ahead and allow more time for journeys. Drive carefully and follow our traffic management.

Crickley Hill

One lane open for traffic

We’ve had to do this for safety reasons. It’s easier to merge at the bottom of the hill rather than the top. It also allows us more room to work.

Heavy vehicle recovery

A coned-off lane gives us safe space to recover broken down vehicles quickly to avoid queues on the hill.

Signs will alert large lorries and vehicles that:

  • they may have to queue
  • there are provisions for extra heavy vehicle recovery
  • an additional safe lane is available to move stranded vehicles off the network

There’ll be additional 24/7 roadside assistance to remove broken-down HGVs from the network.

We’ve made sure logistic and haulage companies have the information they need about the new layout. 

Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout

We've carefully modelled traffic flows and added lights on the roundabout to ensure:

  • traffic flows freely
  • drivers from the A436 and Leckhampton Hill road aren’t prevented from entering the Ullenwood Junction

Temporary traffic signals next to Air Balloon roundabout will be ‘short phased’.

This means they'll constantly adjust to traffic flows so drivers won't face lengthy queues.

Cowley junction

We don't anticipate delays at Cowley roundabout, but we’ll monitor traffic flows throughout our work.

Getting to Birdlip

There’ll be a temporary arrangement for traffic to and from Birdlip until the new B4070 is open.

Check the route on our Cowley and Shab Hill junctions maps.

Access for local residents and businesses

All routes will stay open. 

Crickley Hill Country Park will open as usual.

We work closely with businesses next to our work to maintain access through road changes.

Public transport

Public transport won’t be affected.

We’ve told public transport companies about our traffic management.

They decide what services they provide on our network (including whether to provide additional services).

Phase 2 - changing the layout up and down Crickley Hill

In the second traffic switch, all traffic will use the new road.

This allows us to convert the old A417 into the dedicated lane for Cold Slad.  We'll give you more details nearer the time.

There'll be no diversion in Phase 2 as we're not closing the main route for north and southbound traffic.

As the new road opens, expect delays as drivers get used to the new layout.  You may experience reduced speeds on the new A417.  Allow extra time for journeys.

Find out more

We’ve :

  • sent communications, newsletters and emails to all surrounding areas
  • held presentations and public information events to share information about the new road layout.

Customer hub

Our customer hub at the Crusher Compound is open to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesday, 10am to 2pm each week.

Drop in and talk to us if you need help or more information:

Address: Birdlip, Gloucester, GL4 8JX

What3words:  shaped.quietest.payback

Other ways to keep informed

You can follow latest updates on our A417 Missing Link project page.

Sign up for our regular newsletter.

Contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.  

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