The Missing Link Preferred Route Announcement Introduction

A417 The Missing Link Preferred Route Announcement Introduction

Investing in your roads

At Highways England, we believe in a connected investigate options for improving the A417 Missing country and our network makes these connections Link, a critical route that connects the Midlands happen. We strive to improve our major roads and the north of England to the south. and motorways—engineering the future to keep people moving today and moving better tomorrow. In this brochure, we explain the preferred route We want to make sure all our major roads are for the A417 Missing Link and how we assessed more dependable, durable and, most importantly, potential options for the road and carried out safe. That’s why we’re delivering billions of pounds public consultation. You’ll also find information of investment on our network. As part of this about what will happen next. the government made money available for us to

1 About the A417 Missing Link

The A417/A419 provides an important route Over the years, there have been numerous between Gloucester, Cheltenham and Swindon attempts to find a solution, but for various reasons, that helps connect the West Midlands and the including affordability and changes in investment north to the south of England via the M5 and priorities, these have never become a reality. M4 motorways. While most of the route is dual carriageway, there’s one section that isn’t. However, in recent years, the case for Known as the Missing Link, this three-mile improvement has become far more compelling stretch of single carriageway between the – to improve safety, support the economy, Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout ease congestion and reduce pollution. This severely restricts the flow of traffic. was recognised in the government’s first Road Investment Strategy 2015 - 2020 with funding Traffic congestion can be frequent and being made available to investigate possible route unpredictable, driving motorists, including HGVs, options. Delivery of the project will be subject to to divert onto smaller local roads to avoid long confirmation of funding within the second road delays. This causes difficulties for neighbouring investment strategy, which will cover the period communities, whose local roads were not built to between 2020 - 2025 and is due to be published accommodate such a high level of traffic. towards the end of 2019.

The sensitive nature of the Cotswold escarpment, the shape of the landscape and the area being part of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty means that there isn’t an easy answer for improving this section of road.

The scheme’s vision: a Objectives for the scheme landscape-led highways Transport and safety: to reduce delays, improvement scheme create a free-flowing road network and improve safety along this stretch of the A417 As part of this improvement, we want to create a Environment and heritage: to reduce the landscape-led highways improvement scheme impact on the landscape, natural and that will deliver a safe and resilient free-flowing historic environment of the Cotswolds road while conserving and enhancing the special and, where possible, enhance the character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding surrounding environment Natural Beauty; reconnecting landscape and Community and access: to reduce queuing ecology; bringing about landscape, wildlife traffic and pollution, improve access for local and heritage benefits, including enhanced people to the strategic road network, and visitors’ enjoyment of the area; improving local support residents’ and visitors’ enjoyment of communities’ quality of life; and contributing to the the countryside health of the economy and local businesses. Economic growth: to help boost growth and prosperity by making journeys more reliable and improving connectivity.

2 3 ill The preferred route H n Crickley Hill to Bentham p m A436 Country Park a We’ve chosen Option 30 as our preferred route for h A ck 41 e improving the A417 Missing Link. We’ve modified 7 B L Alternative 2: ro ck parallel to Alternative 3: and improved the route as a result of your wo rth the A417 via South Hill By feedback during our route options consultation pa ss held last year. There will be a future consultation which you can participate in on the different junction proposals shown on the plan.

Little Witcombe Alternative1: Rushwood Overall the consultation demonstrated huge bridge over A417 Kennels support for improving the Missing Link and in particular for route Option 30. We believe that Barrow Wake Option 30 presents the best opportunity to deliver AAlternativeslternatives forfor A436A436 linklink andand ShabShab HillHill a landscape-led highways improvement scheme Opportunity to remove existing Shab Hill jjunctionunction llocationocation underunder reviewreview which meets all of our key objectives and delivers road and re-connect SSSI Birdlip Hill a return on investment. Cowley B4070 link re-aligned to Option 30 will: enable re-connection of SSSI improve safety compared with the existing A417 alignment moved to the east Birdlip to improve the landscape fit route and contribute to our target of reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured Great Witcombe Stockwell on our network Farm make journey times more predictable, reducing the cost and inconvenience of unexpected delays on businesses and other people who use the road and enabling goods and services Key Opportunity to remove to be moved around more easily existing A417 carriageway reduce rat-running through neighbouring Option 30 main line Golden Heart Inn communities, improving the lives of people Birdlip link (B4070) Cowley Junction who live close to the route and making it easier A436 connection alternatives Nettleton for drivers, walkers and other local road users Opportunity to remove section of existing A417 New free-flowing junction at Cowley to replace the to get around existing roundabout and maintain local access Proposed junction location improve landscape and ecological connectivity SSSI Special Site of Scientific Interest through landscape and habitat restoration and A 4 Diagrammatic plan not to scale, junction arrangements are indicative 1 provision of a green bridge © Crown copyright and database rights 2019 OS 100030649 7 improve air quality and reduce pollution Brimpsfield caused by idling vehicles improve access to public footpaths, including Our preferred route consists of: the Cotswold Way National Trail and the a 3.4 mile dual carriageway surface route, a new section of road built through Shab Hill to the removal of the Air Balloon and Cowley Gloucestershire Way, helping more people to following the alignment of the existing A417 at the east of the existing A417, re-joining the road roundabouts enjoy the area safely Crickley Hill with a reduced gradient near Cowley roundabout a downgraded road between Air Balloon support the predicted growth in jobs and a third lane ascending Crickley Hill, to provide a new junction at Shab Hill with links to Birdlip roundabout and a new junction at Cowley. housing in the Gloucestershire area by one lane for slow moving traffic and two for and the A436 improving this key road connection. general traffic

4 5 The consultation

Consultation proposals Option 12 For further information on The proposals that we put forward as part of the As a result of this assessment two route options a four mile stretch reusing sections of the how we identified route consultation, held in February and March 2018, were proposed at consultation: Option 12 and existing A417 on Crickley Hill and Birdlip. New followed extensive investigation of possible route Option 30. sections of road would be built at Nettleton and options, please see our options. This involved assessing route options Emma’s Grove. route options consultation against the scheme’s vision and objectives, as well as a range of engineering, economic and financial booklet which is available criteria. online: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace. com/he/a417-missing-link/

6 7 The consultation Option 30 For further information on a 3.4 mile surface route following the alignment of the existing A417 at Crickley Hill with less of how we identified route a slope. The new section of road would be built options, please see our through Shab Hill to the east of the existing route options consultation A417, re-joining the road near the existing location of Cowley roundabout. booklet which is available online: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace. com/he/a417-missing-link/

8 9 How we carried out the consultation

We held our public consultation on route options We held public events at six locations where you over a six week period between 15 February could view information about the scheme and and 29 March 2018. We asked you to comment speak to members of the project team, as well on the scheme proposals and for any important as provide comments on the scheme proposals. information you felt we should take into account as These were attended by approximately 800 part of its development. people. We also placed information in local libraries. We promoted the consultation using a range of methods, including letters to interested parties, leaflets, posters, press releases to local and For further information on how we regional newspapers, Facebook advertising carried out the consultation, please and social media. We developed a dedicated read our A417 Report on Public consultation website (https://highwaysengland. Consultation, available online: citizenspace.com/he/a417-missing-link/) where https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/ you could view consultation documents, get he/a417-missing-link/ updates and submit feedback online. You could also submit feedback by email and freepost. Almost 2,000 people and organisations responded Key issues and themes to the consultation. raised during consultation

Thank you to everyone who shared their You can find more information on specific comments with us during consultation. We’ve alternative proposals and our response in the taken your suggestions and feedback into A417 Report on Public Consultation and the A417 account in the selection of the preferred Scheme Assessment Report, published alongside route. Where appropriate, we’ve logged some this booklet. comments, particularly those related to specific scheme design details, and these will feed in to Consultation questions the ongoing development of the scheme. As part of the consultation feedback form, we asked you to respond to six questions: In this section, you’ll find an overview of the main To what extent do you agree with our proposed areas of feedback we received on the proposals. Option 30? Responses are grouped in the same order as the Do you have any comments to make in relation feedback form from the consultation and include to Option 12? comments we received from letters and As part of identifying any route options, emails too. Highways England assessed over 30 options, including six as part of the further appraisal Overall, the majority of respondents agreed that work. Do you have any comments on any of the A417 Missing Link is in need of improvement the other options included in the assessment? to address the problems experienced by all road Is there anything further you would like us users. Almost three quarters of respondents to consider in relation to improving the A417 also agreed that Option 30 presented the best Missing Link? opportunity for meeting the scheme’s objectives. How did you hear about this consultation? Do you have any feedback on this consultation – events, information provided, advertising? 10 11 Option 30 Option 12 Other options

We asked you to tell us the extent to which We note the high level of support for Option 30 We then asked you to share any comments you We also asked you to share your views on any you agreed with our proposed Option 30. This and that many of you broadly recognise the route’s had regarding Option 12. other options included in our initial assessment. agreement was rated on a scale of strongly agree potential for delivering a scheme that balances all We assessed 30 options as part of identifying to strongly disagree and don’t know, with a space of the objectives, is affordable and demonstrates You told us that: route options, including six which were reviewed for you to provide reasons for your answer. value for money. Some of you preferred Option 12 over in more detail. The graph (Figure 1) at the bottom of this page Option 30 on the basis that it follows the shows the response to this question. We also appreciate concerns relating to the impact existing A417 and would therefore have You told us that: of Option 30 on the surrounding environment and less of an impact on the environment and Most responses to this question provided the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding You told us that: Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. views on discounted tunnel options Natural Beauty The majority of you (72%) agreed with our We considered these comments as part of Some of you felt tunnel options should A large number of you raised concerns have been included in the route options proposal to take Option 30 forward for selecting the preferred route. We will about Option 12 in relation to the bend in consultation further design and assessment work use these detailed comments to inform the the road north of Barrow Wake that would Those of you who expressed a preference There were a significant number of scheme’s continuing development. We’ll present comments indicating support for Option 30 require a mandatory speed limit of 50mph for a tunnel option felt it would have further information on environmental mitigation over Option 12. Most of you felt Option 30 Some people also raised the visual and less impact on the environment and the and enhancement at the next stage of would deliver a free-flowing road network, noise impact of Option 12 as a common Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural public consultation. particularly as it would have a 70mph issue. The majority of comments related Beauty than a surface route speed limit along the entire route to Option 12’s proximity to Birdlip, with Some of you agreed that with our Maintaining connectivity to and between existing Some of you raised concerns about the particular concerns that upgrading the assessment that tunnel options were costly potential effects of Option 30 on the rights-of-way is a priority in the continuing road to a dual carriageway would increase and would not provide value for money Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural development of the scheme. Option 30 presents the noise experienced in the village. In for taxpayers Beauty, the surrounding environment, a number of opportunities to improve access contrast, some support for Option 12 was There were some concerns about length cultural heritage and sites of special to public rights of way, including the Cotswolds noted on the basis that the route would run of construction period and potential scientific interest and Gloucestershire Ways – we will present more further away from Cowley, Stockwell and geological impacts of tunnel options. Shab Hill Some comments supported the proposal detailed proposals as part of the next stage of You were also concerned that rat running to divert the road further away from Birdlip, public consultation. As we set out in the A417 Technical Appraisal while others disliked the road running would continue if Option 12 was taken Report, we considered a range of options for the forward, particularly in Cowley, Brimpsfield closer to Stockwell, Cowley and Shab Hill We also want to maintain connectivity to other A417 Missing Link. Our assessments concluded and Birdlip You also raised the importance of good that tunnel options provided better opportunities to local roads, for example access for A436 users There was also concern that the access for walkers, cyclists and and local access to the road from Cowley and reduce the impact on the landscape than surface horse riders construction of Option 12 would have a Brimpsfield. These issues will be considered in route options. However, tunnel options would still The land take associated with Option significantly greater impact on traffic than future stages of the scheme’s design and the have a large adverse environmental impact due 30 was raised by some people, with the Option 30, and that it could cause greater feasibility of alternative junction arrangements to the need to build tunnel portals and maintain removal of the Air Balloon pub being a disruption to the local community and connections to the local road network will be the existing A417 throughout, across the sensitive common concern. The land take associated with Option assessed as part of more detailed design work. 12 was raised by some people, with the Cotswold escarpment. removal of the Air Balloon pub being a Figure 1: Preferences on scheme proposals from questionnaire responses common concern. The government also set a cost allocation for this scheme of £250 - £500 million in the context Strongly agree We chose Option 30 as the preferred route of competing demands for investment in other 26% Agree because overall it performs better than Option 12 transport schemes and public services. All tunnel in meeting the objectives for the scheme. Option options exceeded that cost allocation and they I prefer Option 12 46% 30 will deliver a safe, reliable and landscape also did not represent value for money as the Neither agree nor disagree led route, resulting in more reliable journeys for return on investment was very poor. As a result, 8% residents, commuters and business owners. tunnel options were not taken to consultation. Strongly disagree 7% We’ve considered all factors in our decision and 9% 2% Don't Know this informed our choice of Option 30 as the preferred route which we will now take forward for Figure 1: Preferences on scheme proposals from questionnaire responses further design. 12 13

Strongly agree

26% Agree

I prefer Option 12 46% Neither agree nor disagree 8%

7% Strongly disagree 9% 2% Don't Know

Further comments Environmental issues Consideration of alternative solutions We analysed all of the comments we received and The Department for Environment, Food and What you told us: grouped them into key themes. Below you’ll find Rural Affairs’ A Green Future: Our 25 Year Some of you fed back on the effect of What you told us: an overview of the most prominent and frequent Plan to Improve the Environment sets out the both the routes on wildlife and biodiversity Apart from overall expressions of support for comments by theme and our responses to them. government’s ambition to be the first generation around Crickley Hill Country Park, Shab Option 30, some of you said that we should: Where comments relate to matters that are still to leave the environment in a better state than it Hill and Ullen Wood, as well as generally Pursue one of the shortlisted tunnel options being developed, such as the layout and detailed was found. It is intended to be read as a statement across the scheme. Modify one of the proposed options design, we’ll use these to inform the ongoing of intent, setting the direction of travel for future by extending the proposed cuttings or development of the scheme. government policy. Highways England works There were also some concerns raised creating cut and cover tunnels in within the government’s policy framework and will around Barrow Wake, particularly in various locations take the 25 Year Plan and any subsequent new relation to Option 12, and that the Landscape considerations Widen the existing road to a dual legislation or policies that arise from this plan into proposals would not allow it to be restored carriageway with changes to Air consideration during the development of to a tranquil beauty spot. The area is a Site What you told us: Balloon roundabout our proposal. of Special Scientific Interest and a number Some of you raised concerns that Option Implement other transport solutions that of important archaeological discoveries 30 would have a negative impact on the do not involve building new roads. Cotswolds landscape and the rural feel We regularly meet with representatives from have been made there. of the area. In particular, some expressed environmental groups, statutory agencies opposition to the scheme in general and local councils, including the Cotswolds How we’ve considered your comments How we’ve considered your comments due to the potential effect on the Area Conservation Board, National Trust and One of our key objectives for this scheme is to We set out the reasons for not taking tunnel of Outstanding Natural Beauty of the Gloucestershire County Council, to deliver improve the existing environment and incorporate options to consultation on page 13. surrounding landscape. a landscape-led highways scheme which the scheme into the landscape and surrounding balances all of the project’s key objectives and areas. Option 30 is further away from Barrow With regard to widening the existing road, this Specifically, there were concerns that seeks to bring about an improvement to the Wake, providing opportunities to remove the would not address the problems of congestion the proposals did not recognise the existing environment. We’ll share more details on existing road from the edge of the escarpment, and pollution, particularly at Air Balloon government’s aim to protect Natural Parks environmental mitigation and enhancement at the which will benefit the viewpoint, the Cotswold roundabout—it would continue to restrict traffic and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty next stage of consultation. Way and the Barrow Wake Site of Special flow and would not address the problems caused under the 25-year Environment Plan, or Scientific Interest. by the steepest sections of the road and the the Cotswolds Conservation Board’s sharp bends. ambition for the Cotswolds to become a We will take into account the concerns you National Park. raised about effects on woodlands, habitats We also considered alternative modes of transport and wildlife in the development of the design for to solve the identified capacity problem on the How we’ve considered your comments Option 30 and will present more details at the existing A417 Missing Link. This showed that a We fully recognise the importance of the next consultation. road scheme is the most suitable solution for sensitive Cotswolds landscape. We have carried easing congestion around Air Balloon roundabout. out a range of assessments to understand Option 30 provides the best balance of the key For further information on matters how the landscape could accommodate the objectives for the scheme. It combines a variety raised during the consultation and our proposed route options, and consider that of transport, safety, environment and community response, please read our A417 Report Option 30 presents greater opportunities to be benefits, and delivers a return on investment on Public Consultation and A417 Scheme accommodated into the existing landscape for taxpayers. Assessment Report available online: compared with Option 12. https://highwaysengland.citizenspace. com/he/a417-missing-link/

14 15 Legacy and cultural heritage regardless of whether the scheme is constructed. How we’ve considered your comments The scheme will increase the amount of traffic Local access to the route will be critical, and we’ll along the route, but journeys along the road will aim to ensure that local communities will still be What you told us: You also said that you wanted to be kept be quicker and more dependable. One of our able to safely access the A417 and that pressure Many of you were keen to see existing informed of the progress of construction key aims for the scheme is to create a route that from rat-running is reduced. Our assessments public rights of way maintained as part works and the impact on traffic while the benefits local communities as well as regular road suggest that Option 30 would reduce rat-running of any improvement to the A417 Missing scheme is built. Link. Specifically, this included the routes users. This includes reducing rat-running through through neighbouring villages, including Elkstone neighbouring communities whose roads were not and Birdlip, by encouraging traffic to use the new of the Cotswold Way National Trail, the How we’ve considered your comments designed to accommodate the level of traffic they free-flowing and safer A417. Gloucestershire Way and the Gustav We’ll look at how we’ll build the route as we experience, reduce pollution caused by idling Holst Way. develop our design further, working to ensure vehicles on the A417 and improve air quality. We’ll consider the detailed design of junction that construction is as efficient as possible while arrangements as part of the next stage of the You were also interested in opportunities minimising any disruption. We’ll carefully plan While the A417 route is likely to become busier, scheme’s development and are working closely for providing new crossing points for and manage our roadworks to ensure we noise assessments do not suggest there would with Gloucestershire County Council to develop a walkers, cyclists and horse riders as part maintain safety at all times. of the scheme. be a significant increase in noise along the plan for local access. As part of this work, we’re corridor, including along the concrete surfaced reviewing the Leckhampton Hill junction, access Rat running through local roads during sections of the route. We’ll provide more for traffic from the A436 to the A417 and are also How we’ve considered your comments construction is an important consideration. We’ll information on our noise assessment at the next including a junction at Cowley in Option 30. We’ll Maintaining connectivity to and between rights look at potential mitigation measures and discuss stage of consultation, including any measures share more details as part of the next stage of of way and overcoming severance issues for options with the Gloucestershire County Council we propose to keep noise levels to a minimum consultation for the scheme. pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders is a major during the ongoing development of the scheme. opportunity for the scheme and will continue to be for local communities. a key consideration in the further development of We’ll continue to share information with you Cost and value for money the preferred route. at every stage of the scheme’s development. Access to the new road from This includes sharing information about the local network What you told us: We’re working closely with Gloucestershire our construction work and how this might The expenditure and value for money of County Council, which is responsible for the the scheme in general was a key issue for impact you. What you told us: improvement of local rights of way, to assess and many of you, but opinions on the best way There were concerns raised that the agree how footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways of tackling the problem were mixed. Impact on local communities proposals, including Option 30, would can be maintained and improved as part of the make it harder for local people to access scheme. We will present more details during future Some people stated that the budget What you told us: the A417, especially from the A436, the consultation stages. for the scheme should be increased to There were some concerns that the B4070, and various local roads. accommodate tunnel options, which they scheme would negatively affect local There was also some concern that local felt would protect the environment and Traffic disruption during communities, including those in Birdlip, roads would continue to be used as rat- local wildlife. They pointed to other areas Stockwell, Brimpsfield and Cowley. Some runs after the scheme’s construction. construction of the country where higher budgets had of you were worried that the proposals As such, many of you asked for more been allocated for road improvement would adversely affect your standard of information to help understand the What you told us: schemes. In contrast, others stated that living as a result of noise, pollution and proposed junction arrangements. Many of you expressed concerns about building a tunnel would cost too much visual impact. A number of you made traffic disruption during construction. This money and would be a waste of money. particular reference to increased noise included an increase in rat running through pollution along the concrete surfaced Elkstone, Brimpsfield and Birdlip; the lack Some of you expressed support for section of the A417-A419 between of alternate routes across the region; the For further information on matters spending the budget on other road and Daglingworth and Latton as a result of diversion of traffic along the A46 through raised during the consultation and our transport schemes, including: additional the scheme. Cheltenham; and maintaining access response, please read our A417 Report public transport, improving the local rail between Gloucester and the M4. on Public Consultation and A417 Scheme network, building other new road routes How we’ve considered your comments Assessment Report available online: and the maintenance of the existing We have carefully considered the effects of https://highwaysengland.citizenspace. road network. all proposed routes on the local community. com/he/a417-missing-link/ Current levels of traffic are expected to increase 16 17 How we’ve considered your comments Landscape considerations Safety considerations The A417 Missing Link is part of the government’s Road Investment Strategy, which identifies parts of Following a landscape study that we carried out A key objective for upgrading the A417 Missing reducing this to 7.5%. Having undertaken further the strategic road network which need upgrading as part of the route options identification process Link is to improve the safety and reliability assessment and design work, we’re now able to improve safety, connectivity, and reliability for its and comments made during the consultation, we of the road. This objective is shared by local to reduce the incline for Option 30 to 7%, a 3% users. The government has set a cost allocation have made several amendments to Option 30, communities and we’ve undertaken further reduction compared with what is there now. for this scheme of £250 - £500 million in the particularly to improve its fit within the landscape. assessment to improve our designs. context of competing demands for investment We expect Option 30 to improve road safety and in other transport schemes and public services. Stockwell Crickley Hill contribute to our target of reducing the number of As such, we are aware that the scheme needs to To improve the fit within the landscape, we’ve The current road climbs steeply up Crickley Hill people killed or seriously injured on our network. represent value for money to taxpayers and deliver moved the road approximately 230m further east at a gradient of 10%, causing some vehicles a return on investment. of Stockwell compared with the previous design. to slow down significantly. At the route options This will also reduce the noise impact for Stockwell consultation we presented Option 30 as Our assessment work for the scheme covers the and help protect the tree line and dry-stone walls first 60 years of its lifecycle. During this period, to the east. Option 30 will provide the best opportunity to both meet the scheme’s objectives and be delivered Barrow Wake within this cost allocation, while providing a We’ve realigned and simplified the link road positive return on investment for taxpayers between the existing A417 at Barrow Wake and and recognising the unique landscape of the the new proposed junction at Shab Hill. This Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. will enable us to reconnect the Site of Special Scientific Interest of Crickley Hill and Barrow Wake that is currently severed by the existing road. For further information on matters raised during the consultation and our Cowley junction response, please read our A417 Report We’ve updated our proposal to include a junction on Public Consultation and A417 Scheme at Cowley in Option 30 to provide direct access Assessment Report available online: to Brimpsfield and Cowley. This will allow us to https://highwaysengland.citizenspace. explore opportunities to remove the existing A417 com/he/a417-missing-link/ carriageway from the access point to Stockwell to the Birdlip junction and help us strike a balance between building new infrastructure and Developments following preserving the special character of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Essentially, consultation we would be able to remove more than 1.2 miles of the existing road or reuse it for another purpose, We’ve improved the route as a result of your such as a new walking or cycling route and feedback during our route options consultation, enhance the Cotswold escarpment. as well as the additional surveys and assessment work that we’ve carried out. We will develop the design of the route to provide more detail at the next stage of consultation. This section highlights the key changes to Option 30 that came out of the consultation.

18 19 What happens next? How to find out more Notes

Now that we’ve announced our preferred To find out more about the route options route, we’ll carry out some more surveys and consultation, please visit our website: assessment work to help us refine and design the https://highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/a417-missing-link/ scheme in more detail. The website also contains further information, You’ll have another opportunity to share your documents, images and the latest newsletters to views on our proposals before we submit our explain the need to upgrade the A417 Missing planning application, which is known as a Link, the work we’ve carried out so far and what is Development Consent Order. We’re planning to left to come. hold our next public consultation this summer and will ask you for feedback on our detailed Visit our website for more information about the proposals. This consultation is a legal scheme or contact us below.@HighwaysSWEST requirement of the Planning Act 2008.

Delivery of the project will be subject to By email: A417MissingLink@ confirmation of funding within the second road highwaysengland.co.uk investment strategy, which will cover the period By phone: 0300 123 5000 2020 to 2025 and is due to be published towards the end of 2019. On Twitter: @HighwaysSWEST

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