Concerns Mount Over A40 Gridlock Risk from New Housing Plans Near Gloucester

Plans to build thousands of new homes near Gloucester have sparked serious concerns about exacerbating rush hour traffic “gridlock” on the A40.

The Forest of Dean District Council has proposed creating two new settlements as part of their effort to meet a government-imposed target of 12,000 new homes. Councillors recently agreed to consult the public on this blueprint, which outlines development areas up to the year 2045.

One potential site for a new town is Churcham, where up to 2,000 homes could be constructed. Another concern is the possible inclusion of more than 2,500 homes at nearby Highnam in the strategic local plan covering Tewkesbury, Gloucester, and Cheltenham.

Residents are worried that existing infrastructure won’t support the significant population increase. Traffic at Highnam is already challenging, with the A48 and B4215 converging onto the A40, which also connects with the A417 at Over.

Councillor John Francis (Independent, Longhope and Huntley) cautioned that the approved housing developments would only worsen the existing congestion. “Even without extra housing, the A40 is a choke point,” he said after the council meeting on January 22. “Most journeys are outside the Forest due to limited local employment. More homes mean longer drive times and chaos.”

Forest of Dean District Council leader Adrian Birch (Green, Tidenham) acknowledged the drawbacks of the plan but described it as the “least worst option” given the government’s housing requirements. “This isn’t what we want, especially building on greenfield sites, but without a realistic target, we have no choice,” he explained. “If we fail to produce a plan, the planning inspectorate will step in and have free reign on where developments go.”

The council’s public consultation on the local plan is scheduled to begin next month, inviting community input on how the area should grow while balancing infrastructure and environmental concerns.