Major Investment in Gloucestershire's A417 Missing Link

GFirst LEP’s number one transport priority is now on its way to securing a solution, as the Government has confirmed that there will be a connection of the two dual carriageway sections of the A417 near Birdlip, alongside careful examination the environmental sensitivity of the site.

Within GFirst LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan over 70% of business feedback showed that the A417 Missing Link had a negative impact on the operation of their businesses. The transport announcement comes as part of a nationwide investment of funding towards the improvement of Britain’s roads, but for Gloucestershire and the A417 it will mean a significant reduction in business operation costs, as well as increased connectivity to wider markets and see the creation of jobs. 

Dr Diane Savory OBE DL, Chair GFirst LEP, commented: "It is great news that Government have taken our local campaign seriously and are now committed to finding a full solution to the A417 Missing Link. As a priority, we now need to understand the timescale Government will work to and when we can expect to see a proper solution delivered. The Missing Link was the number one transport priority within our successful GFirst LEP Strategic Economic Plan and I am very proud of the huge effort that businesses, councils and individuals have put into lobbying for a solution. Our Transport and Logistics Sector Group, in particular the Chair Mark Ryan, have worked tirelessly with the GFirst LEP team and businesses to support the Gloucestershire County Council campaign for a solution. We will continue to do everything we can to get absolute clarity on when the full solution will be delivered."

The investment of funding into Gloucestershire’s roads is in response to local business priorities, all parties involved will ensure that the best solutions are brought to the county, resulting in encouraging growth in Gloucestershire.