The cost to upgrade junction 10 of the M5 near Cheltenham has soared from an estimated £250 million in 2020 to over £400 million in 2026, Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed.
On June 10, council leaders approved commissioning the main construction works for a new junction that will enable full access in all directions on and off the motorway. The project also includes widening the A4019 Tewkesbury Road and adding new cycle paths and walkways, all critical for unlocking land to support 20,000 homes and 12,000 new jobs at the Cheltenham Golden Valley Development.
The updated budget, now set at £407 million, includes an additional £44 million covering improvements to the nearby Coombe Hill junction and the Arle Court Transport Hub. Funding comes from a combination of £1.5 million in extra housing infrastructure investment, £10 million in community infrastructure funds, and £32.5 million in future developer contributions.
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Rising costs are attributed to inflation, design revisions, and extended project timelines. The original estimate in 2020 stood at approximately £253 million.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member responsible for infrastructure, emphasized the junction’s importance not only for Golden Valley but also for the National Cyber Innovation Centre. He described the “all-movements junction” as a vital enabler for significant housing and employment growth.
“We have already completed enabling works and are eager to progress to the next stage,” Tooke said. “Speed is vital as we aim for completion by Spring 2029. We’re not requesting additional funding now but will require bridging finance from the Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund while awaiting capital and developer contributions.”
Despite the project’s significance, the budget increase has met opposition criticism. Reform UK councillors, who form the opposition at Shire Hall, previously questioned the £166,000 expenditure on bat houses required by law on the site.
Reform group leader Vernon Smith argued, “The current Liberal Democrat administration continues to struggle with managing large infrastructure projects effectively. Under Reform, we would focus on substantial cuts rather than what we view as reckless spending on items like bat houses. Our priority would be delivering social housing within a reasonable budget.”