A significant section of the A417 in Gloucestershire will be closed for a third weekend this summer as part of ongoing improvements. Initially, National Highways had planned two weekend closures over the school holidays, but they have now added a third closure at the end of August.
The closures will affect an 11-mile stretch from the Air Balloon roundabout at Birdlip to the A429 Burford Road junction in Cirencester. This work is part of the A417 Missing Link project, which aims to replace the existing single-carriageway between the Air Balloon and Cowley roundabouts with a new dual carriageway bypass.
The closures will enable four essential activities: starting construction of the new Cowley Roundabout, installing utility ducting, realigning sections of the road, and completing vital surfacing work. Emergency service access will be maintained at all times during the closures.
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The three weekend closures are scheduled as follows:
During these periods, southbound traffic will be diverted via the A435, A40, and A429 to reconnect with the A417. Northbound traffic will follow the reverse of this 24-mile diversion route.
National Highways is working closely with Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Swindon councils to manage the diversions, which will be clearly signposted to minimize disruption.
Celine Acard, Senior Project Manager for the A417 Missing Link scheme, stated, “While we understand that road closures can cause frustration, these full closures are necessary to safely and efficiently complete essential utility works. We have planned diversions to minimize disruption, and we expect an additional 25 minutes added to travel times. We thank drivers for their patience and urge everyone to plan their journeys accordingly.”