Missing Link Your chance to shape plans as designs are revealed
ABOOMERANG-ESQUE bridge is being proposed to be built over the A417 in what are the latest designs for the multi-million pound “Missing Link” project.
A new visual of the A417 Cotswold Way crossing – among the proposals by Highways England, which is behind the £435million scheme – has been released as the second round of public consultation starts.
The new dual-carriageway will connect the M4 at Swindon to the M5 in Gloucestershire, with 3.6 miles of new road also linking the A417 Brockworth bypass with the A417 south of Cowley.
It was supposed to open for 2024 but Highways England confirmed earlier this year it will be ready for motorists to use by the end of 2025.
The boomerang bridge is one of several changes Highways England is seeking feedback on, and they are:
» new crossings: Cotswold Way and Gloucestershire Way crossings
» the change in gradient of the A417 as it climbs the escarpment near Crickley Hill » the design of Cowley junction » the rerouting of the B4070 to Birdlip via Barrow Wake
» improvements for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, including disabled users
» the replacement of Common Land, which is a type of green space
» the change in environmental effects as a result of the new design.
Highways England said changes made following the last consultation “will benefit local connectivity, accessibility and reduce the impact on communities, the environment, and the local landscape”.
Cotswolds Conservation Board, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the
National Trust have joined together to say the new proposals still leave “areas of concern”, which include the “functionality and design of some of the crossings and overbridges”.
Michael Goddard, senior project manager for the A417 Missing Link scheme, said: “As a result of your feedback, we’ve made some improvements to our proposals which will benefit local connectivity, accessibility and reduce the scheme’s impact on communities, the environment, and the local landscape.
“As part of the planning process, we’re required to consult on our proposed design.”
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said the proposed upgrades to the A417 will benefit “all road users in Gloucestershire”.
Earlier this year it was revealed that submission of the project to the Planning Inspector had been delayed to 2021, partly because of National Trust’s objection to a proposed green bridge on its land, which would allow walkers to cross the new road at Crickley Hill.
In a joint statement, the Cotswolds Conservation Board (operating as Cotswolds National Landscape), Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust said: “[We] are encouraged by recent discussions with Highways England and believe that the proposed changes in this second statutory consultation have the potential to improve the scheme.
“However, Highways England are aware we still have areas of concern, including the functionality and design of some of the crossings and overbridges.
“The three overbridges must deliver their intended outcomes - connecting habitats via wildlife corridors and counteracting the negative impacts of the new dual carriageway on protected wildlife sites.
“The crossings and overbridges should also be visually in tune with the special characteristics of the Cotswolds landscape.
“We share concerns about the impact on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, in particular high priority habitats (such as lowland calcareous grassland).
“Careful design and mitigation can help to reduce biodiversity losses but we are encouraging Highways England go further and seek biodiversity net gain.”
The consultation events will take place over the internet from the following dates and times, and a member of the Highways England team will respond via a webchat:
Friday October 16: 8am-11am, 4pm7pm; Saturday October 17: 9am-1pm; Tuesday October 20: 11am-2pm; Thursday October 22: 6pm-9pm; Saturday October 24: 1pm-4pm; Tuesday October 27: 8am-11am; Thursday October 29: 2pm-5pm; Monday November 2: 10am-1pm, 6pm-9pm; Wednesday November 4: 4pm-7pm; Saturday November 7: 9am-1pm; Tuesday November 10: 8am-11am, 6pm9pm; Thursday November 12: 8am11am.
There will also be five live Q&A events focusing on different topics, which are:
Safety, traffic and engineering, Monday October 19, 9.30am-11am; Landscape, wildlife and habitats, Tuesday October 20, 9.30am-11am; Local access and public rights of way, Wednesday October 21, 9.30am-11am; Land, property, business and tourism, Thursday October 22, 9.30am-11am; Looking ahead - submission, examination and construction, Friday October 23, 9.30am-11am.
You can register for these by emailinga417missinglinkatairballoon@highwaysengland.co.uk.
The project would see a new junction at Shab Hill, providing a link from the A417 to the A436 towards Oxford and into Birdlip.
Both the Air Balloon roundabout and Cowley roundabout are to be removed as part of the scheme, and a new sloping lane will be introduced leading up the A417 for vehicles to overtake heavy good vehicles safely.
Highways England are aware we still have areas of concern
Cotswolds Conservation Board, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust