Work on the vital M5 Junction 10 improvements near Cheltenham is set to commence in earnest this autumn, backed by an additional £71.5 million funding pledge from the UK Government. This major infrastructure project is a key driver in unlocking up to 20,000 new homes, including over 7,000 affordable properties, along with significant employment development.
Homes England has confirmed its commitment to providing the essential funding required to advance the revamp, whose total cost has risen to £363 million from the original £253 million estimated in 2020. This increase reflects inflation and expanded project scope, but the scheme remains crucial for Gloucestershire’s transport network and economic future.
The upgrade will feature a new full-access junction connecting the motorway to surrounding areas, a new link road from the A4019 to the B4634 in west Cheltenham, widening of the A4019 Tewkesbury Road, as well as new cycle paths, walkways, and flood mitigation measures. These improvements are designed to support new housing projects like the 4,115 homes at Elms Park and employment sites west and north of Cheltenham.
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Local councils and developers are sharing the project’s cost, which will result in a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable road network. Gloucestershire County Council began preliminary works in autumn 2025, having already pledged an additional £40 million. The scheme is expected to be completed by 2029.
The junction upgrade also supports the growth of the National Cyber Innovation Centre and the technology cluster at the Golden Valley development near GCHQ, projected to create approximately 12,000 skilled jobs in the region. Development consent was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in June 2025, underscoring the project’s strategic importance.
Julian Tooke, Gloucestershire’s economic development chief, described the scheme as a “catalyst for transformational growth” across the M5 corridor linking Birmingham and Bristol. He praised the coordinated efforts of county and district councils, MPs, and the business community, highlighting the calculated early start to preparatory work as a measure to avoid further inflation and delays.
While acknowledging that construction will bring some disruption, Councillor Tooke assured ongoing efforts to minimize impacts on nearby residents. The project reflects a significant investment in the region’s future prosperity and infrastructure resilience.
Funding sources include the UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, district council Community Infrastructure Levy, Gloucestershire County Council, and developer contributions via Section 106 agreements. Local MPs Cameron Thomas and Max Wilkinson also expressed strong support, emphasizing the region’s engineering heritage and future as a tech and cyber hub.
The council is working alongside National Highways and contractor Galliford Try to finalise delivery plans with main construction slated to begin in autumn 2026. This upgrade marks a major step forward in making Gloucestershire a thriving, connected, and economically dynamic county.