FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

A417 Missing Link Q&As

Why do you need to upgrade the road?

While most of the A417 route is dual carriageway, there is one section that isn’t. Known as the Missing Link, this three-mile stretch of single carriageway between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout carries three times more traffic than it was designed to and causes problems for road users and those who live or work in the area.  

Poor visibility and other factors mean that accidents, many of which are serious, occur frequently along this section of road.  Congestion can also be frequent and unpredictable, so some motorists divert onto local roads to avoid tailbacks. This causes difficulties for neighbouring communities and local roads were not built to accommodate so much traffic.  

How will you improve the road?

We’re building 3.4 miles (5.5km) of new dual carriageway between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley. The new dual carriageway will have a gentler gradient than the existing road and a crawler lane for slow vehicles climbing the hill. 

We’ll build new crossings over the road so people and wildlife can cross safely. We’ll also convert most of the existing A417, into a new route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, including disabled users to enjoy. To improve habitat connectivity and maximise biodiversity, we’ll plant new woodland, grassland, trees and hedgerows. 

What are the key benefits of the project?

The scheme will:

• improve safety by cutting nearly 300 fatal or serious casualties over the coming decades and cut journey times by nearly 30% at peak times 
• make journey times more reliable and predictable
• reduce rat-running through neighbouring communities 
• improve landscape and ecological connectivity 
• improve air quality and reduce pollution caused by idling vehicles  
• improve local public rights of way and connectivity making it easier for people to get around and enjoy the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• support regional economic growth

What is the vision for the project? 

We developed a vision for the scheme in partnership with our stakeholders, including the Cotswolds Conservation Board and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. We want to create a 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; reconnecting landscape and ecology; bringing about landscape, wildlife and heritage benefits, including enhanced visitors’ enjoyment of the area; improving local communities’ quality of life; and contributing to the health of the economy and local businesses. 

Has this project been approved? 

Yes, on 16 November 2022, the Department for Transport’s Rail Minister Huw Merriman MP approved the A417 Missing Link scheme, which will boost regional economies and transform journeys for millions of people.  

What is the timeline for the project?  

The Secretary of State for Transport gave the A417 Missing Link project the go-ahead on 16 November 2022. No challenges have been made to this decision and we’ve since secured funding for construction from the Treasury. Preparatory work has now begun. Construction will start in autumn 2023 and the road will be open for traffic in early 2027. 

Will this project provide local jobs?

The Missing Link is a substantial investment in the Gloucestershire economy and wherever possible, we will employ local businesses and have a track record of providing apprenticeships and training for local people. 

 We’re already talking to local businesses about contract opportunities, of which there are many.  

Any local businesses wishing to find out more can get in touch with the stakeholder team at A417SchemeEnquiries@kier.co.uk. 

How is this project tackling climate change?   

This scheme will improve local air quality and reduce pollution caused by congestion. Through changes in the scheme design, we’ve been able to reduce the project’s impact during construction and reduce carbon emissions by a further 35%. 

During construction, we will set strict carbon reduction targets of at least 10% for our contractor, which is in line with our Net Zero Highways Plan. Where possible we will:

• use renewable or low carbon energy generation at construction compounds
• use low carbon plant equipment and vehicles
• use low carbon materials or materials that absorb carbon dioxide
• use low carbon construction techniques
• source recycled or secondary materials from the local area

To find out more, read our climate handout.

How will you protect local archaeology?

We already know a lot about the history of this area and what archaeology we might find during the build thanks to the surveys and desk-top research carried out during our Environmental Impact Assessment. As part of our Development Consent Order and the mitigation for the project, we’ve committed to doing more extensive archaeological digs of the area before we start building the road and to carefully record, analyse and publish detailed information about what we find so it’s preserved for future generations.

How will you protect the local environment?

The environment is our top priority and we’ve been working closely with environmental specialists and statutory bodies to make sure we minimise the impact of this project on the environment. 

We’ve designed the road to fit into this unique landscape and to reduce effects on the local environment and archaeology.  Our Environmental Management Plan, sets out in detail what we’ll be doing to protect local wildlife, plants and the special landscape of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

Before construction begins, we’ll protect local wildlife and plants , for example, create new habitats and install animal fencing and bat boxes.

We’re also building three wildlife friendly bridges, three wildlife tunnels and a bat underpass. Large amounts of planting will help preserve, link and create more habitats for local wildlife in the area and improve biodiversity over time. The habitats we create will be right for the local area.  

To minimise the visual impact of the road, we’ll use sensitively designed embankments, tree planting and Cotswold drystone walling. 

What are you doing to maximise biodiversity? 

We’re working closely with environmental stakeholders and will plant new woodland, grassland, trees and hedgerows to help preserve and create additional habitats in the local area. We want to make sure that any new habitat we create is right for the local area, and so these new and improved habitats will be in keeping with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and have been carefully designed to improve habitat connectivity and biodiversity.

How will you improve local public rights of way? 

We’re making some significant improvements to the local walking, cycling and horse riding network, including: 

• repurposing parts of the existing A417, creating a new traffic-free route and improving access to and enjoyment of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  
• reconnecting the Cotswold Way National Trail and Gloucestershire Way with two new crossings of the A417  
• creating a new connection for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, including disabled users, along and between Dog Lane and Cold Slad Lane, which will improve pedestrian links between Brockworth and Nettleton Bottom via Crickley Hill, the Cotswold Way crossing and the proposed new Air Balloon Way  
• linking some popular, local lanes to the wider walking, cycling and horse riding network  
• creating more car parking away from sensitive areas such as Barrow Wake and the Crickley Hill Country Park. Located near the Golden Heart Inn, the new car park would include disabled and horse box spaces, and help everyone access this special area  
• creating earth banks which will reduce road noise for residents and users of public rights of way in the area 

 Will this project increase traffic on local roads?

This project will significantly improve safety and congestion, therefore reduce the risk of incidents and associated delays. This in turn will help reduce rat running in the area and local journeys should be easier and quicker.

How are you preparing for construction?

There’s a lot to do before construction can begin in the autumn.  Preparatory work has now started and in the next few months we will:  

• Install environmental mitigation, to reduce the impact of the road on the local environment. This includes things like creating new habitats and installing animal fencing and bat boxes to help protect wildlife during construction    
• Divert public rights of way so they avoid areas where we will be working   
• Complete archaeological digs, which will involve searching and documenting any archaeological remains or artefacts to preserve the history of the area    
• Divert and protect utilities such as electricity cables 
• Set up the Construction site, which includes setting up site offices, construction compounds and building access roads   
• Install road signage, which will involve a small number of overnight, one lane closures on the A417   
• Complete ground investigation surveys to check ground conditions before construction and build on the vast amount of data already collected   

 When will you start and finish construction? 

Preparatory work started on 27 February 2023. Construction will start later in 2023 and be completed in early 2027. To see a high-level construction timeline, visit our website. 

 When you start construction, what will happen first? 

The main build won’t start until late 2023.The first thing people will see is widening work on the existing A417 at Crickley Hill. This will be done so that traffic management can be safely installed and operated during the main build.  

Will the road stay open during construction? 

Yes, we will keep the existing A417 open during construction while we build the new road, with the exception of limited night closures. 

 Will traffic on local roads be worse during construction?

There will inevitably be some disruption during construction but traffic on the A417 will be managed carefully to minimise this.  Careful planning will minimise extra congestion and rat running. For example, the A417 will remain open for most of the time, and particularly during rush hour and busy times of year. We will give drivers and local communities advance notice of any overnight closures, and diversions will be clearly signposted. Signage will also be used to discourage rat running in local villages and to remind motorists to be considerate at all times.   

We appreciate your patience and understanding whilst we improve this major road link. Long term, this project will improve safety and make it easier for people to get around, which will benefit the local and regional economy and make the area a more attractive place to explore and visit. 

How will you keep us updated and informed about what is happening? 

Our dedicated stakeholder team will make people aware of up-and-coming work and be available to ask questions and find out more. You can also visit our dedicated community website to find out more, which can be accessed through National Highways’ main project web page: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a417-missing-link.

As well as regular meetings with local parish councils, businesses and public rights of way organisations, the stakeholder team will also hold community drop in events and send out weekly project updates throughout the build. 

Customers can contact our stakeholder team and sign-up to receive weekly updates about up and coming work, including overnight closures and diversions.  

 How do I get in touch? 

You can keep up to date with the latest scheme news by visiting our website, emailing or phoning us or following us on Twitter or Facebook. 

Webpage: www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a417-missing-link   

Email: A417MissingLink@nationalhighways.co.uk    

Phone: 0300 123 5000 

Twitter: @HighwaysSWEST / @NationalHighways 

Facebook: @HighwaysSWEST 

If you are a local resident directly affected by construction and would like to receive weekly project updates about up and coming work or have any issues you’d like to raise, please get in touch with our stakeholder team via A417SchemeEnquiries@kier.co.uk or 07751 742091.