A417 missing link

Latest updates

• 07 November 2024

  A417 Bridge at Cowley junction – drainage works

  We'll be installing an upgraded drainage system, utilities, and a new footpath beneath the A417 Bridge at Cowley junction. 

  The work will begin on Monday 11 November and is expected to last approximately six weeks. We'll work during the day, with road closures remaining in place overnight. 

  Traffic will not be able to exit the A417 onto the link road at Cowley Junction. There will be no pedestrian access through the road closure.

  Diversion routes will be in place as approved by Gloucestershire County Council.

  The A417 will remain open and mainline traffic will not be affected. 

• 02 October 2024

  A436 Air Balloon Roundabout to Ullenwood Manor Road overnight closures

  We will be closing the A436 in both directions from the Air Balloon Roundabout to the Ullenwood Manor Road for us to undertake the installation of permanent drainage and gullies, installation of kerbs, surfacing and ducting works. This work is part of the A417 Missing Link scheme. 

  The closures will take place:
  •    Tuesday 29 October to Friday 1 November, 9pm to 6am 
  •    Monday 4 November to Saturday 9 November 9pm to 6am 

  There will be a diversion in place.

  For eastbound traffic:

  1. Follow the A417 towards Gloucester
  2. Turn right towards Cheltenham onto the A46 Shurdington Road
  3. Turn right onto the A40 towards Oxford
  4. Turn right towards Cirencester
  5. Turn right onto the A435 Cirencester Road

  For westbound traffic:

  1. Continue on the A436 towards Cheltenham
  2. Turn left onto the A40 London Road
  3. Turn left towards Gloucester
  4. Turn left towards Gloucester onto the A40 Bath Road
  5. Turn left onto the A46 Shurdington Road

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England website. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

  Barrow Wake car park closure

  Please remember that Barrow Wake viewpoint car park will remain closed until March 2025. This is so that we can build a new dry-stone wall to stop glare from vehicle lights. We're also installing drainage tanks under the carriageway.

  Local businesses will remain open as normal. 

  Other work happening in the area

  A417/A419 essential maintenance 

  We've now completed the five weekend closures recently advertised to complete essential maintenance work on the A417 and A419. This was separate from the A417 Missing Link scheme. Details of other maintenance works being carried out locally are provided on our maintenance schemes webpage. 

• 18 September 2024

  Upcoming closures

  The A417 will be closed from the Brockworth junction (A46) to Air Balloon Roundabout between:

  • Monday 16 September and Friday 20 September, 9pm to 6am each night 
  • Monday 23 September and Friday 27 September, 9pm to 6am each night

  A diversion route will be in place using the A46, A40, A435 to A436.

  The A436 will be closing between the Air Balloon Roundabout and Ullenwood Manor Road from 9pm Saturday 21 September to 6am Sunday 22 September while we move the mini roundabout for the new alignment of Leckhampton Hill.

  There will be a diversion in place using the A417, A46, A40 and A435. 

  Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

• 29 August 2024

  Work from August into September

  Overnight (9pm -  6am) closures on the A436 eastbound - 2 September for 14 nights

  We'll be closing the A436 eastbound overnight from the Air Balloon Roundabout to Crickley Hill from 2 September for 14 nights. This includes weekends.

  We need the closure for drainage work and for the changes at Leckhampton Hill.

  A diversion will be in place by the A417, A46, A40 and A435.

  Work continues at Leckhampton Hill

  Our work at Leckhampton Hill is going well with phases one and two now complete.

  Phase 3 - the final phase of work is taking place between Tuesday 27 August and Sunday 22 September

  During this phase you will access Crickley Hill via Leckhampton Road leading into Leckhampton Hill.

  The Crickley Hill entrance will be on the right-hand side, at the top of Leckhampton Hill.

  Please plan ahead and follow signed diversion route.

  Northbound diversion

  1. Continue on the A436 towards the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  2. At the roundabout, turn left onto the A435 towards Cheltenham
  3. Turn left onto the A40
  4. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  5. Turn left onto the A46 Bath Road
  6. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Leckhampton road, and follow down to Leckhampton Hill

  Map of phase 3 Northbound diversion.

  Southbound diversion

  1. Continue up Leckhampton Hill onto the Leckhampton Road
  2. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A46 Bath Road
  3. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  4. Turn left onto A40
  5. Turn right onto A435 London Road, and follow to reach the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  6. Go over first roundabout and turn right onto the A436, continue to Air Balloon Roundabout to join the A417

  Map of phase 3 Southbound diversion

  National Star College, Crickley Hill and Cotswold Hills Golf Club remain open as usual:

  Crickley Hill

  From Tuesday 27 August to Sunday 22 September (phase 3), you will reach Crickley Hill via Leckhampton Road leading into Leckhampton Hill.

  The Crickley Hill entrance will be on the right hand side, at the top of Leckhampton Hill.

  National Star College

  You can reach National Star College by the approved diversion route - Leckhampton Road, A46 Bath Road, A40 and A435. This has been agreed with Gloucestershire County Council.

  Costwold Hills Golf Club

  You will reach Cotswold Hills Golf Club by the approved diversion route. There will be no access from the A436.

  Barrow Wake car park closure

  We’re building a new dry-stone wall that will stop glare from vehicle lights. We're also installing drainage tanks under the carriageway at Barrow Wake viewpoint.

  To do this, we need to close Barrow Wake viewpoint car park until March 2025. Local businesses will remain open as normal.

  There are alternative parking options for visitors, including Crickley Hill. Bear in mind that you may need to pay at some of these car parks.

  Plan of the Barrow Wake viewpoint closure.

  Progress update

  Our work on the project is progressing well. The civils work being carried out within the closures at Leckhampton Hill is on track to finish on time.

  In other areas, we’re continuing to prepare for the Stockwell Farm bridge. Dry-stone walling continues at Stockwell and Cowley. Work is also continuing at the Gloucestershire Way Crossing location, following recent concrete pours for the central piers.

  What’s happening at Crickley Hill and Shab Valley?

  If you’ve travelled through Crickley Hill or Shab Valley recently, you may have spotted our teams progressing earthworks in the area.

  That's because they’re using a rather impressive piece of machinery; a 90-tonne excavator with a 40-metre-high stitcher attachment which has been specially modified to carry out the task at hand. 

  Working with our supply chain partners Cofra, we’re installing over 40,000 vertical drains, some up to 20 metres into the ground. The drains will give residual water that’s beneath the surface a way out. By allowing it to escape, the drains will reduce the settlement period for earthworks from around 2-3 years to only 3-4 months, which significantly shortens the programme of construction for our project. 

  Vertical drains are traditionally used in flat areas of already free draining material such as sand or gravel. On this scheme, however, the drains are being installed on the hillside, so we’ve needed to create a series of small platforms which step up the 10% incline at Crickley Hill. This has been developed specifically for this project due to its unique topography. 

  Since we began these works in June this year, the team has installed over 8,000 drains, which is around 550 a day. If we continue at this rate, we expect it to be finished in December.  

  Out and about in the community

  Summer site visits

  This summer we’ve held five open days, giving members of the public the opportunity to tour our site and see how work is progressing across the scheme. Since the end of June, we’ve welcomed 324 people to site including local residents, businesses, community groups, councillors and MPs.

  School engagement

  We recently supported the Children’s Cake Bake in Bentham, raising money for local children in the area to subsidise summer holiday funds for days out.

  Members of our team also volunteered at Coberley School, where we painted inside and out, renovated a vegetable garden, re-built a nature garden, and removed old unused equipment.

  Shurdington Village fete

  We also got involved in the Shurdington Village fete donating vouchers for a prize in the tombola. We hope everyone had a great time at the fete.

  A417/A419 essential maintenance

  We’re carrying out maintenance on the A417 and A419 separate from the A417 Missing Link scheme. This work is essential to keep the concrete carriageway safe and reliable for drivers. This work will be carried out in phases during weekends to minimise disruption. You can find out more on our South West maintenance webpage. 

• 31 July 2024

  Progress through Summer

  We're making good progress.

  We've completed our advanced archaeological excavation phase. Oxford Cotswold Archaeology will remain on site monitoring groundworks into 2027.

  We’ve completed foundation piling works at Shab Valley and have laid drainage mats at Grove Farm ready for further work.

  We’ve also started the foundations for the Stockwell overpass and currently building the support columns for the Gloucestershire Way Crossing.

  To do our work, we'll need to make some road closures. Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our daily closures page.

  Barrow Wake car park closure

  We’re building a new dry-stone wall that will stop glare from vehicle lights. We're also installing drainage tanks under the carriageway at Barrow Wake viewpoint.

  To do this, we need to close Barrow Wake viewpoint car park until March 2025. Local businesses will remain open as normal.

  There are alternative parking options for visitors, including Crickley Hill. Bear in mind that you may need to pay at some of these car parks.

  Plan of the Barrow Wake viewpoint closure.

  Full closure of Leckhampton Hill

  We're closing Leckhampton Hill from August to late September.

  We’ve phased our work to minimise disruption as much as possible. There'll be no closures in the first phase of our work around Ullenwood cricket club.

  Phase 2 - to late August 2024

  We're closing Leckhampton Hill just past Crickley Hill to the junction of Ullenwood Manor Road.

  You won't be able to access Ullenwood Manor Road from the A436. There'll be a hard closure at this point to stop rat running past National Star College. Gloucester County Council has approved this.

  Northbound diversion

  1. Continue on the A436 towards the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  2. At the roundabout, turn left onto the A435 towards Cheltenham
  3. Turn left onto the A40
  4. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  5. Turn left onto the A46 Bath Road
  6. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Leckhampton road, and follow down to Leckhampton Hill

  Map of phase 2 Northbound diversion.

  Southbound diversion

  1. Continue up Leckhampton Hill onto the Leckhampton Road
  2. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A46 Bath Road
  3. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  4. Turn left onto A40
  5. Turn right onto A435 London Road, and follow to reach the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  6. Go over first roundabout and turn right onto the A436, continue to Air Balloon Roundabout to join the A417

  Map of phase 2 Southbound diversion

  Phase 3 - late August to late September 2024

  We're closing the road from the new temporary roundabout at the Leckhampton Hill junction to the entrance of Crickley Hill.

  Northbound diversion

  1. Continue on the A436 towards the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  2. At the roundabout, turn left onto the A435 towards Cheltenham
  3. Turn left onto the A40
  4. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  5. Turn left onto the A46 Bath Road
  6. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto Leckhampton road, and follow down to Leckhampton Hill

  Map of phase 3 Northbound diversion.

  Southbound diversion

  1. Continue up Leckhampton Hill onto the Leckhampton Road
  2. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A46 Bath Road
  3. Turn right onto Thirlestaine Road
  4. Turn left onto A40
  5. Turn right onto A435 London Road, and follow to reach the Seven Springs Roundabouts
  6. Go over first roundabout and turn right onto the A436, continue to Air Balloon Roundabout to join the A417

  Map of phase 3 Southbound diversion

  Crickley Hill

  Access to Crickley Hill will remain open at all times.

  Phase 2

  You’ll be able to access Crickley Hill via Leckhampton Hill adjacent to the Air Balloon Roundabout.

  You won't be able to access by Leckhampton Hill from Ullenwood Manor Road.

  Phase 3

  You'll be able to access Crickley Hill via Leckhampton Road leading into Leckhampton Hill. The Crickley Hill entrance will be on the right hand side, at the top of Leckhampton Hill.

  National Star College

  National Star College will be open as usual

  During closures, visitors can reach the college by the approved diversion route by Leckhampton Road, A46 Bath Road, A40 and A435. 

  Cotswold Hills Golf Club

  Cotswold Hills Golf Club will remain open as usual and can be reached by the approved diversion route.

  There will be no access from the A436.

• 16 July 2024

  Go behind-the-scenes on the A417 missing link

  Come and see how construction is progressing at one of our exclusive open days being held this summer:

  • Thursday 25 July, 1pm to 3pm
  • Thursday 8 August, 10am to 12 noon
  • Thursday 22 August, 10am to 12 noon
  • Thursday 29 August, 1pm to 3pm
  • Thursday 5 September, 10am to 12pm

  During the visit, you’ll be able to see first hand the construction of the new environmental bridge called the Gloucestershire Way Crossing, catch up on the latest developments on the scheme and ask the team any questions you may have.

  To book your place, send your name and email address along with your preferred date and the number of places you require to: A417MissingLink@nationalhighways.co.uk with A417 Summer Site Visits in the subject line. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

  As this is a fully operational working site, no children under the age of five can take part in these visits, however we are planning to organise a family day soon.

  

• 28 February 2024

  Project reaches next major milestone

  We’re just about to start the next stage of major construction which will see earthworks start to excavate a new section of road from the Air Balloon roundabout. We’re doing this away from the existing route to minimise disruption as much as possible. You may have already seen the team carrying out earthworks which was for our new compound and car park area.

  We’ll be storing and then repurposing all the materials removed from the landscape throughout the build, helping to minimise the scheme’s carbon footprint and the impact on the environment.

• 31 January 2024

  A look ahead to 2024

  This January, we’ve been continuing with our preliminary works. As well as building a new site entrance close to the Air Balloon roundabout, we’ve been busy widening a section of carriageway on the A417 so that we can keep traffic moving more smoothly during the next phase of construction.

  In April, we'll be ready to start building the new section of the A417. This section is to the south and east of the Air Balloon roundabout and is referred to as ‘offline’ as it is away from the existing road network.

  Connecting Parishes

  Improving connectivity doesn’t just apply to the road! Connecting Parishes is a project that National Highways is working on, together with Gloucestershire County Council and the Gloucestershire Local Access Forum, to improve connectivity and accessibility of the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) near the A417.

  How is the project being funded?

  This project has received Designated Funding from National Highways’ ‘Users and Communities’ fund, which aligns with the ‘Walkers, Cyclists and Horse Riders and Communities’ themes. The purpose of these funding streams is to build new infrastructure and enhance existing facilities to encourage sustainable, non-motorised forms of transport.

  What is Connecting Parishes?

  The Connecting Parishes project seeks to reconnect PRoW between neighbouring parishes and the Cotswolds Way, which were previously severed by the Strategic Road Network.

  There will be a core focus on improving active travel, ensuring there are more accessible and safer active travel options which will enhance local connectivity for communities and allow more people to enjoy the Cotswolds National Landscape (formerly known as the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

  Working with Gloucestershire County Council, who are leading on delivering these projects, Connecting Parishes consists of 18 different sections of Public Rights of Way which will link into the Air Balloon Way, the Cotswold Way or other promoted routes.

  You may have noticed some work has already started. If these works have impacted you, we’d like to thank you for your patience and understanding while we deliver this important project, which will offer many benefits to local people and visitors. We’ll share more updates with you and photos as the project progresses.

• 08 January 2024

  Digging for Britain feature

  We’ve started off 2024 with some exciting news as the A417 Missing Link project is featured in the new series of Digging for Britain. The eleventh series of the popular TV programme went live on BBC iPlayer on the 2 January and the episode that features the project aired live on the 4 January.

  The project features in episode 3 at around 48 minutes in. We hope you enjoy watching it and find it as fascinating as us! This is just a small part of the important preparatory work we’ve been busy doing. You can watch the episode here. 

• 21 December 2023

  Air Balloon pub demolition complete

  As you may have seen, demolition of the Air Balloon pub has now been completed. This was a necessary step to make way for the new A417 Missing Link road, which we will start to build early in the new year. 

  We understand how many of you value the history of the pub and, recognising that it was named after one of the first British balloon flights, we’re proposing to call a section of the repurposed A417, the Air Balloon Way. 

  We’re also planning to reuse as much of the building materials as possible and are exploring the possibility of using some of it to create installations and outdoor furniture for the local area that celebrate its cherished history. We already have a local carpenter lined up to make some benches that will eventually be located on the new and improved walking, cycling and horse riding network for all to enjoy. 

  We’ve started to clear vegetation in preparation for the next phase of construction. All vegetation clearance is being done sensitively, under the watchful eye of an independent arboricultural clerk of works. Site-wide inspections of trees and vegetation, ecological surveys and mitigation to protect trees and local bat populations were done prior to this work commencing. Wherever possible we will be replacing lost vegetation and trees, which will over time help screen the new road and create new habitats and habitat connections for native wildlife to flourish. 

• 01 December 2023

  Seal of approval paves way for main construction

  We’ve been working hard behind the scenes with local authorities and statutory bodies to ensure that planning conditions (requirements), as set out in our Development Consent Order, are met and signed-off (discharged) by the Secretary of State for Transport ahead of main construction. 

  A key milestone for the project, this task has now been completed and means we can start the main build in early 2024.  

  As we move towards this next phase you will start to see vegetation clearance along the route, which is being carried out under the watchful eye of a specialist clerk of works.

  Secretary of State speaks about the scheme 

  In this short video, Rt Hon Mark Harper MP talks about the A417 Missing Link project during his recent visit to site. The Secretary of State is joined by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, CEO National Highways Nick Harris, Project Director Kevin Jones and Environmental Laad Kris Atkins.

  What’s happening next?  

  Take a moment to watch this new animation video which explains how we are phasing construction of the A417 Missing Link. 

  Success as project secures prestigious NIPA award 

  We’re delighted to share that the A417 Missing Link project has been named winner of the National Infrastructure Planning Association (NIPA) Infrastructure Award 2023. The award recognises best practice for planning, design, development and delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Commendations were given for “genuinely listening to stakeholders and changing design accordingly”. 

  The success of this project, through preliminary design, planning and Development Consent, has only been possible thanks to our stakeholders and the collaborative relationships we have with you.  

  Our shared goal has been to deliver much needed improvements to tackle the long-standing congestion and safety issues on this road, whilst conserving and enhancing the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

  A huge thank you goes to the local MPs, Cotswolds National Landscape, National Trust, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, our colleagues at Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, landowners and local communities. Every one of our stakeholders and partners has been key to shaping the scheme and its landscape-led vision. 

  We will continue to engage, keep you informed and ask for your support as we move through the construction phase. 

  

• 20 September 2023

  Supporting UK bat species along the A417 Missing Link

  Converting a World War II bunker for wildlife is just one of the innovative measures National Highways is taking to help support UK species of bats that have made their home in Gloucestershire.   

  The converted structure will be home to the Lesser Horseshoe, Brown Long Eared and other species of bats.  

  National Highways is also installing bat boxes in suitable habitat across the scheme, which although not obvious to passing motorists, provide vital homes for the bats.  

  In addition, ecologists will utilise a widely used and accepted tree aging technique for young trees and create roosts that mimics crevices only found on older more mature trees.  

  Three other bat structures will also be created as part of the scheme, and we will plant trees, hedges, woodland and grasslands to improve their foraging habitats. 

  To ensure local bat populations are properly supported during the build, we’ve got a team of Ecologists on site at all times to ensure these mitigation measures are implemented correctly. 

  Work on the scheme goes beyond bats though, with ecologists continuing to relocate reptiles away from construction areas including baby common lizards, slow worms, Roman snails and adders.

  

  Caption: The converted World War II bunker, which will eventually be covered by vegetation and hidden from sight, is one innovative way National Highways is helping to support bats and wildlife

• 16 May 2023

  Preparatory work well under way

  For those living locally or using the A417, you will have noticed lots of activity going on near the Air Balloon roundabout and Fly-up 417 Bike Park. You will have also noticed that we’ve set-up several small site offices, which include welfare facilities for the ecologists and archaeologists working on site.  

  All of this activity is part of the preparatory work we are doing ahead of construction in the autumn. 

  Our team of archaeologists are currently working at six locations in the area, and since the end of February, have removed approximately 8000 cubic metres of soil in their search for historical features and artefacts that can tell us more about the area and the people that once lived there. 

  We’ve also got ecologists on site who have been prepping archaeological research areas before work starts, for example putting up retile fencing to keep them away from work areas, checking for ground nesting birds and installing kite hawks to discourage skylarks from landing on site. These measures are ensuring local wildlife is protected.   

  

  Birdlip and the surrounding area is rich in history: the existing A417 largely follows the former Roman road between Cirencester and Gloucester and Birdlip itself is a historical Roman settlement. Picture shows topsoil being stripped from archaeological research areas. 

• 16 November 2022

  Scheme gets the go-ahead

  We’re delighted that Transport Minister Huw Merriman MP has today approved this landscape-led highways scheme that will deliver a safe and resilient free-flowing road while conserving and enhancing the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  

  We would like to thank everyone who has provided feedback and helped shape this vital scheme, which will improve the connection between two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth and Cowley, and links between the M4 and M5, making it safer and reducing traffic congestion and the knock-on effect of rat running in local villages.

  The Minster’s long-awaited decision means we can now take action to improve this much needed stretch of road. Our Chief Executive, Nick Harris welcomes the news and explains what it means for local people.

  To help you visualise the new road, see our latest fly-through animation.

  We now enter a six-week judicial review period, but we will continue to work closely with our stakeholders and move this project forward during this time.

  You can view the official decision letter, granting the scheme approval, on the Planning Inspectorate's website.

• 29 June 2022

  School pupils dig visit from National Highways staff

  Our project team and representatives from Cotswold Archaeology took time out to visit Birdlip Primary School, where year 3 and 4 pupils got the chance to chat to the team about their jobs, plans to improve journeys between Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout and see what finds have been dug up along the route, which used to be the home to Romans.

  One item discussed was an almost 2,000-year-old figurine depicting Cupid, the Roman God of love, which was discovered along with a bow-shaped brooch, and a Roman or early Saxon skeleton.

  The items were found along the proposed 3.4 mile stretch of the new A417 Missing Link route and go some way to showing what life in the area was like thousands of years ago.

  The Cupid figurine is a rare find, with less than 50 known in the UK, and is one of only three that have been found as part of an archaeological dig as opposed to by metal detectorists.

  Made of solid bronze with wings and holding a flaming torch, the figurine was discovered in a deposit of charcoal, suggesting it could be an offering to the Gods.

  

  Andrew Milner, Executive Head Teacher from Birdlip Primary School, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity to study the A417 Missing Link in depth. The children engaged with the archaeology to find out exactly what came before the road and then where the new road will go and how it will look. The team took the time to answer all the questions fully, in a way that was relevant to the children and the staff who turned up.”

• 29 June 2021

  Development Consent Order application accepted for examination

  We are pleased to confirm that our proposals for the A417 Missing Link have been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for formal examination.

  This signifies a huge step towards delivering a landscape-led highways scheme that will provide a safe and resilient free-flowing road while conserving and enhancing where possible the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

  Thank you to everyone who has supported us getting to this point, providing your feedback to help us shape the scheme.

  Next steps

  The Planning Inspectorate will now examine the Development Consent Order (DCO) application through written representation and public hearings. They will then review all the evidence and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, who has the final decision on whether the scheme should go ahead.

  The examination and decision-making process will take over a year. You can find our more information about this process and how to get involved on the Planning Inspectorate’s website.

  Our application

  You can now view our full application on the Planning Inspectorate’s website and you’ll also find a few bits of useful information below.

  • Scheme map – this gives an overview of the scheme design
  • Our response to consultation 2020 and next steps
  • A guide to our DCO application - links to the different sections of the application to help you find what you need
  • Our Environmental Statement