A417 Missing Link Responding to feedback from our public consultation 2019 Introduction The A417/A419 provides an important route We recognise the significance of the scheme between Gloucester, Cheltenham and Swindon and the importance of the Cotswolds Area of that helps connect the West Midlands and the Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Through north to the south of England via the M5 and proactive engagement with a number of groups M4 motorways. While most of the route is dual and organisations, we’ve agreed a landscape-led carriageway, there is one section that isn’t. Known scheme vision statement. as the Missing Link, this three-mile stretch of single carriageway between the Brockworth bypass and Landscape-led vision Cowley roundabout severely restricts the flow of traffic. “We want to create a landscape-led We plan to build 3.4 miles ( 5.5 km ) of new dual highways improvement scheme that carriageway, which will considerably improve will deliver a safe and resilient road safety, reduce traffic congestion and free-flowing road while conserving improve connectivity for road users and local and enhancing the special character communities, while unlocking economic growth of the Cotswolds AONB; reconnecting in Gloucestershire and beyond. We’re committed landscape and ecology; bringing to delivering the A417 Missing Link scheme, with about landscape, wildlife and heritage the support of central government, who confirmed benefits, including enhanced visitors’ funding in their second Road Investment Strategy enjoyment of the area; improving (RIS2), published in March this year (2020). local communities’ quality of life; and contributing to the health of the Scheme objectives economy and local businesses”. From the start of this project, we’ve always had very clear objectives and a vision for the scheme. Our objectives are: Transport and safety: to reduce delays, create a free-flowing road network and improve safety along this stretch of the A417 Purpose of document Environment and heritage: to reduce the impact on the landscape and the natural and This document summarises how we have used the feedback we received during historic environment of the Cotswolds and, where public consultation in autumn 2019 to shape our plans for the A417 Missing Link possible, enhance the surrounding environment and our public consultation in 2020. Community and access: to reduce queuing We recommend that you read it alongside the following documents: traffic and pollution, improve access for local A417 Missing Link public consultation: 13 October - 12 November 2020 people to the strategic road network and (consultation booklet) support residents’ and visitors’ enjoyment Public consultation feedback questionnaire of the countryside Our updated Preliminary Environmental Information report Economic growth: to help boost growth and prosperity by making journeys more reliable and improving connectivity 2 1 Consultation summary Key features of the scheme We’ve been developing plans to improve the A417 Missing Link since 2015, and every step We’re upgrading a single carriageway of the way we’ve sought your input and feedback section of the A417. We’re building 3.4 on our proposals. Following consultation in 2018, miles (5.5km) of new dual carriageway we announced our preferred route for the A417 between the existing A417 Brockworth Missing Link in March 2019. bypass and the existing A417 dual carriageway south of Cowley. In autumn 2019, we held a public consultation, The new dual carriageway will have a which gave everyone interested in the scheme gentler gradient than the existing road an opportunity to have their say on the proposed and a crawler lane for slow vehicles design. This was crucial in shaping our plans to climbing the hill. deliver the best solution for the local community, We’ll plant new woodland, grassland, the landscape and the environment. We heard trees and hedgerows to improve habitat from local communities, the wider public, connectivity and maximise biodiversity. businesses and interested groups, with more than We’ll create a new junction at Shab 2,100 people attending our public information Hill, with a link road to both Birdlip and events to talk to the project team about the project, the A436, for journeys towards Seven and over 900 people giving us formal feedback on Springs, Oxford and Cheltenham. the consultation. We’ll build new wildlife-friendly overbridges to maintain local Since our public consultation in autumn 2019, connectivity. we’ve made some improvements to the scheme, We’ll replace Cowley roundabout with which will further benefit local connectivity and an improved junction and retain the accessibility and reduce the scheme’s impact existing underbridge to maintain local on communities, the environment and the local connectivity. landscape. We’ll convert the existing A417, between the proposed new parking area near the As part of the planning process, we’re required to Golden Heart Inn and Barrow Wake, consult on our project design and are committed into a route for walkers, cyclists and to improving our proposals in collaboration with horse riders, including disabled users. you. Our consultation is taking place between 13 We’ll continue to retain some of the route October and 12 November 2020. To find out more, to maintain access for local residents. visit our website and read our consultation booklet. 2 3 Legend Our revised proposals This map summarises some of the improvements we’ve made since public consultation in autumn 2019 A436 Ullenwood junction Crickley Hill 1 9 2 Cotswold Way crossing 8 Emma's Grove 5 1 7 Gloucestershire Way crossing Birdlip Radio Station Barrow Wake 6 Gloucestershire Way Cotswold Way National Trail 4 Shab Hill junction To Cowley 10 Repurposed A417: The Air Balloon Way 5 Cowley Lane overbridge Birdlip 1. New crossings: Cotswold Way and 7. New underpass near Dog Lane to help Gloucestershire Way crossings bats cross the A417 2. The change in gradient of the A417 8. New underpass with bridleway access 3 11 as it climbs the escarpment near near Cold Slad Stockwell Farm overbridge Crickley Hill 9. New woodland, grassland, trees and 10 3. The design of Cowley junction hedgerows to preserve and create new 4. The rerouting of the B4070 to Birdlip via wildlife habitats 11 Barrow Wake 10. New hedgerows on Cowley Lane and 5. Improvements for walkers, cyclists and Stockwell Farm overbridges to help 3 horse riders, including wildlife cross disabled users 11. New car parks, one with disabled and 6. The replacement of common land, horse box spaces to help everyone Cowley junction which is a type of green space access this special area © Crown copyright and database rights 2020 OS 100030649 4 5 Principle and value of the development People and sense of place Cultural heritage What you told us There was continued support for the project, with a gradient of the A417 as it climbs the escarpment What you told us wide range of stakeholders, businesses and local near Crickley Hill to 8% rather than 7%. This You really value some important features on the way for the new road, but we understand how communities commenting positively on our refined will lower the carbon footprint of the scheme by route and you want them conserved. The Air much people value its history. Recognising that design. Some people however said they’d prefer reducing the amount of material that needs to be Balloon pub is of local cultural and historical the pub was named after one of the first British an alternative solution to be taken forward. excavated, construction traffic, and the need for importance, which you want celebrated as part balloon flights, we’re proposing to call the section 1,200 metres of large retaining walls (see page 13 of the new scheme. You asked that a monument, of repurposed A417, between the proposed new You were keen to understand if we’d considered for more information). sculpture or public information display be built parking area near the Golden Heart Inn and other local infrastructure and housing projects that telling visitors of the area’s link to the famous Barrow Wake, the Air Balloon Way. had either been granted planning permission or With environmental legislation in mind, we’ve physician Edward Jenner. would be constructed at the same time. identified many protected species in the area, We’ll also continue to work with our stakeholders including bats, badgers, reptiles, great crested Our response and look for more opportunities to celebrate the You also wanted to know how the scheme fits with newts and notable bird species such as barn We’ve assessed all features of cultural and historic heritage of the area. government ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas owls. Through our mitigation and enhancement significance. Where impacts have been identified, emissions and other environmental legislation. proposals, replacement habitats will be in keeping we’ll agree with the relevant statutory bodies how with the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty best to address and reduce them. and we’ve worked hard to maximise biodiversity Our response improvements on the land we have available. We recognise that some people prefer alternative We want to leave a positive legacy for local solutions. We investigated many route options, communities and visitors to the area. The proposed We’re continuing to investigate further opportunities assessing them against the scheme’s vision and improvements for walkers, cyclists and horse to improve biodiversity with neighbouring objectives, as well as a range of engineering, riders, including disabled users will create better landowners and other off-site measures. economic and financial criteria. links between sites of cultural and historical interest, making them easier to access. The Air We’re proposing this scheme because it will result Balloon pub needs to be demolished to make in a safe, resilient road that integrates into the landscape and enhances the local area.