Gloucestershire drivers are being advised to prepare for significant travel disruption and diversions due to the closure of a key stretch of the A417 this weekend.
National Highways has announced full weekend and overnight closures on the A417 to facilitate the switch over to a newly constructed permanent section of dual carriageway. This upgrade is part of the long-awaited Missing Link project, a multi-million-pound infrastructure scheme aimed at improving connectivity between Gloucester and Cirencester.
The new section of the road is scheduled to open from 6am on Friday, 18 September, but in preparation, the existing carriageways will be fully closed to enable safe transition for traffic in both northbound and southbound directions.
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The closures commenced at 11pm on Friday, 11 September, with the A417 shut in both directions between the A46 Brockworth Junction and the Air Balloon roundabout. This closure is set to remain in place until 6am on Monday, 14 September, with clearly signed diversion routes directing motorists around the affected stretch.
Following the weekend shutdown, overnight closures will continue from 9pm to 6am each night between Monday, 14 September, and Wednesday, 16 September, with an additional overnight closure scheduled for Thursday, 17 September.
On the night of Wednesday, 16 September, local diversions will also affect the A436 and A417 routes between the Air Balloon roundabout, Ullenwood roundabout, and the A429 Burford Road junction. These too will be closed between 9pm and 6am.
According to a diversion map provided by National Highways, motorists should anticipate approximately 10 miles of detour via the A436, A435, A40, and A46. This route leads drivers through Severn Springs, up to Cheltenham, and back down Shurdington Road to Brockworth Junction.
Traffic-monitoring service Inrix reports heavy congestion on the A417, affecting areas including the A46 Shurdington Road through Shurdington and roads through Birdlip.
Once open, northbound traffic from Cirencester to Gloucester will be able to continue seamlessly along the new dual carriageway past the Shab Hill junction. Southbound drivers from Gloucester will proceed through the former Air Balloon roundabout area, now removed, heading towards Cowley junction and Cirencester.
The new B4070 connection to Birdlip, along with the northbound slip road at Cowley junction, are scheduled for completion later this year. Until then, access to Birdlip remains via the current Cowley junction route.
The updated road layout introduces notable changes for motorists travelling from Cheltenham via Leckhampton Hill and from Oxford via Seven Springs and the A436. The previous direct routes into Gloucester from Cheltenham and Oxford will be replaced by diversions onto the new A436 leading to the Shab Hill junction. From there, drivers can continue to Cirencester or use a new underpass to access the northbound slip road into Gloucester.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “These activities may generate some noise while we’re working. We’ll maintain access for emergency services throughout. Fully signed diversion routes will be in place during all closures. Please follow the official diversion routes rather than relying on sat-navs.”