The cost of upgrading Junction 10 of the M5 near Cheltenham has escalated significantly, rising from an estimated £250 million six years ago to over £400 million in 2026.
Gloucestershire County Council has approved the commissioning of the main works for a new all-movements junction, designed to improve access on and off the motorway. The project also includes widening the A4019 Tewkesbury Road and adding new cycle paths and walkways. These improvements are considered crucial for unlocking land to build 20,000 new homes and create 12,000 jobs linked to Cheltenham’s Golden Valley development.
The latest budget for the scheme stands at £407 million, a £44 million increase from previous estimates. This additional funding will come from £1.5 million in housing infrastructure investment, £10 million in community infrastructure funding, and £32.5 million in future developer contributions.
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Originally estimated at around £253 million in 2020, the project’s rising cost is attributed to inflation, design modifications, and extended project timelines.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member responsible for infrastructure, emphasized the importance of the junction beyond traffic management. He highlighted its critical role in enabling the Golden Valley development and supporting the National Cyber Innovation Centre. Councillor Tooke stressed the council’s commitment to delivering the project on schedule by Spring 2029 and indicated a need for bridging finance from the Gloucestershire infrastructure investment fund while awaiting capital funding and developer contributions.
Despite council assurances, the budget increase has attracted criticism from opposition Reform UK councillors. They have previously questioned expenditure such as the £166,000 allocated for legally required bat habitats onsite. Reform group leader Vernon Smith accused the current administration of poor management of large infrastructure projects and advocated for spending cuts and prioritizing affordable social housing instead.