Gloucestershire County Council is urgently calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to secure vital funding for a major upgrade of the M5 junction in Gloucestershire. The planned creation of Junction 9a, situated south of Tewkesbury, includes a reroute of a section of the A46 between the M5 and the Teddington Hands roundabout. This “traffic busting” initiative is viewed as essential to resolving persistent congestion and supporting the region’s growth.
The project, estimated to cost between £740 million and £930 million in 2024, is not just designed to improve traffic flow. It will also unlock the development of up to 25,000 new homes in the Tewkesbury Garden Communities and provide over 100 hectares of employment land focused on advanced manufacturing and defense industries.
Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Tooke, responsible for planning and infrastructure, appealed directly to Prime Minister Burnham at a recent cabinet meeting. He emphasized that local councils—including Gloucestershire County Council, Tewkesbury Borough, Cheltenham Borough, and Gloucester City—have clearly expressed their support for Junction 9a and the Ashchurch bypass.
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“Mr. Burnham, you’ve expressed a commitment to listening to local communities and championing housing alongside infrastructure,” Cllr Tooke said. “We believe these must go hand in hand. But words are cheap and infrastructure funding is not. We need decisive Government backing now.”
Cllr Tooke stressed the importance of the investment to deliver much-needed housing, new employment opportunities, and to strengthen a critical transportation route linking the Midlands and the South West. “Residents have long called for a bypass. It’s about their quality of life,” he added.
Reflecting on the project’s history, he noted that the previous Conservative administration spent £15 million, and that spending has been carefully reviewed to avoid unnecessary costs. Currently, spending is capped at £534,000 until September, when a Government funding decision is expected.
“We cannot let this project grind to a halt due to delays,” Cllr Tooke said. “We remain hopeful for a positive Government response to move this vital infrastructure forward.”
He acknowledged ongoing support from neighbouring councils and confirmed that initial funding is being drawn from the community infrastructure levy.
Reform UK group leader Vernon Smith also criticized delays, accusing the Liberal Democrats of causing unnecessary dithering since May 2025. “The residents of Tewkesbury and Ashchurch deserve relief from congestion and an adminstration that can be trusted to deliver,” he said.