Key county road links must be upgraded to boost the local economy

GFirst LEP, the county’s economic development champion, is highlighting the need for the Government to prioritise three road improvement schemes and is asking businesses what they think.

Research will be carried out on behalf of GFirst LEP by transport experts Atkins to identify the economic growth potential for businesses that would result from carrying out these vital transport schemes in Gloucestershire.

The road proposals are being considered as part of GFirst LEP’s Strategic Growth Plan to improve the county’s infrastructure.

GFirst LEP believes that the work is needed to tackle three major traffic hot spots in the county to boost Gloucestershire’s economy and unlock the potential for future economic growth.

All three hot spots are on the national highways network managed by the Highways Agency: • M5 Junction 9 at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury • M5 Junction 10, North West of Cheltenham • A417 “Missing Link” between Brockworth and Nettleton Bottom

David Owen, Chief Executive, GFirst LEP said: “As part of the Strategic Growth Plan that we are currently developing, it is crucial that we improve transport links within the county for business expansion and to help people have better access to jobs and services. We believe there is huge potential for what is being called the “corridor of growth”, along the M5, stretching from Junction 9 at Ashchurch in Tewkesbury to Junction 13 at Stroudwater and the business park corridor into Stroud. We need to fully understand the economic benefits to the county’s businesses of implementing these schemes and this research means we will be better able to do this. The work by Atkins is essential to help inform our priorities for Gloucestershire and to highlight how we can best work together with bordering LEPs who share our vision for these transport improvements such as Junction 9 of the M5 and the A417 Missing Link.”