Huge 12-week road closure near M5 for major junction project

Phil Norris
·2-min read

A major road in Gloucestershire could be closed for three months as major roadworks are carried out. It comes as a construction contract for the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements Scheme could be up for grabs, pending Gloucestershire County Council's Cabinet approval of recommendations in a report set to be presented at their meeting on September 18, 2024.

The Cabinet report suggests conducting a competitive procurement for the supply of construction works for the scheme and awarding a contract to the preferred bidders. The estimated value of the construction contract is around £3.34m.

If given the green light by the Cabinet, procurement will kick off in autumn 2024. Construction is slated to begin on-site in January 2025 and wrap up by autumn 2025.

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The current construction schedule includes an estimated 12-week closure of the A4019 at the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill junction during the early stages of the project. This is necessary to safely implement new drainage crossings and complete utility diversion works.

The revamp of the junction between the A38 and A4019 at Coombe Hill was part of the package of enhancements proposed for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme, which successfully secured £249M of funding from the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), overseen by Homes England in 2020. The A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements scheme will be financed through the successful bid to the HIF.

The upgrades will encompass localised widening of the A38 and A4019 to provide extra capacity in left and right hand turning lanes, upgrading of the existing traffic signals, renewal of the existing drainage infrastructure, improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities and landscaping works to achieve a positive biodiversity net gain.

The awarding of the contract is contingent on the county council finalising other requirements, a process that will be conducted in tandem with procurement to optimise efficiency.

The council will collaborate closely with local residents, businesses and road users to minimise disruption. Further details on the road closure will be communicated to affected stakeholders and the public in late summer/early autumn 2024.

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: "The improvement works are essential for Coombe Hill junction to accommodate forecast future traffic volumes associated with anticipated development in the area and the proposed M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme."

"The planned works will renew and enhance the existing infrastructure and provide greater resilience to the future operation of the junction, particularly the traffic signals and drainage assets. The scheme design also includes an upgrade to the pedestrian and cycle facilities in and around the junction, to ensure we meet new standards and the accepted Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for the area."

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