Gloucestershire CC has been granted development consent for its £249m M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme by the transport secretary.
The scheme, which has been categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, will see the construction of an all-movements junction, which will provide access on and off the motorway in all directions.
It also includes a new link road connecting the A4019 to the B4634 in west Cheltenham, as well as widening the A4019 Tewkesbury Road and new active travel facilities and flood mitigation measures.
The project aims to make the road network ‘more resilient and sustainable’ by increasing capacity and improving connectivity in west and north-west Cheltenham.
The scheme is funded by the UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund alongside contributions from developers whose sites will benefit from the infrastructure.
Gloucestershire County Council is in charge of the scheme, which will be delivered alongside National Highways and other partners.
Cllr. Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire County Council said: ‘The improvements will not only unlock vital growth opportunities, including thousands of new homes and jobs, they will also ease congestion and enhance safety. We can now look to finalise developer contributions to the scheme and move forward with delivering the infrastructure our communities and businesses need.’
National Highways senior project manager, Rebecca Marshall, said: ‘This scheme will create smoother and safer journeys for all and improve travel times in the area. It will also unlock housing and business development opportunities, as well as improving access to and from the motorway for emergency services.’
AtkinsRéalis was the lead transport, highways design, planning and environment consultant for Gloucestershire County Council, providing a range of services including leading the DCO process.
Mike Batheram, AtkinsRéalis market director for local transport, said: 'The M5 Junction 10 scheme will enable Gloucestershire to achieve its vision for economic growth by resolving longstanding congestion problems while supporting new housing and jobs. This includes an estimated 9,000 new dwellings as part of a coordinated development and potentially thousands of jobs for the nearby Cyber Park.
'DCO approval is the result of a great collaborative approach with the county council, stakeholders and the wider Gloucestershire community, who were integral to shaping this plan.'
Preparation will begin this summer to allow for the start of construction in spring 2026, with completion anticipated in 2028.
