M49 Junction 1 Remains Closed Six Years After Completion, Truck Drivers Frustrated

Truck drivers are voicing frustration over the unopened Junction 1 of the M49 motorway in Gloucestershire, a £50 million project completed nearly seven years ago but still inaccessible to traffic. The key delay hinges on a missing 160-metre link road essential for connecting the junction to the adjacent Western Approach Distribution Park.

Although construction of the junction finished in December 2019, the link road remains unfinished due to disagreements over responsibility between South Gloucestershire Council, National Highways, and the landowners involved. The council has now taken the lead on building the road, with completion expected by the end of 2026.

HGV driver David Bradbury condemned the ongoing delay as a “complete farce” and a stark example of flawed planning. Fellow driver Mark Rees described the link road as a “godsend,” highlighting the time and money wasted on lengthy detours along smaller, congested routes.

National Highways constructed the junction starting in 2018 to improve lorry access to the major distribution site, but conflicting claims between developers—mainly Delta Properties—and local authorities over who should fund and build the connecting road have stalled progress.

South Gloucestershire Council insists Delta Properties holds responsibility, which the company denies, claiming no legal obligation to complete the link road. With negotiations stalled, the council has stepped in to move construction forward.

A spokesperson for the council confirmed that work on the link road is now underway and aims for completion by late 2026. National Highways expressed support for the council’s efforts, recognizing the economic benefits the new junction and link road will bring to the region.

Meanwhile, drivers continue to endure longer routes and congestion, underscoring the critical need for the junction’s full opening after years of delay.