Huge M5 junction change to beat queues and divert A46 traffic taking big step forward
Potential route options for the M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme are to be put to the public next month. Gloucestershire County Council is set to launch a public consultation from Monday, October 7 to Monday, December 2 2024.
A host of route options have been technically assessed for suitability, with the council now ready to present these to stakeholders, local communities and the general public during the consultation period. This marks the first stage of public engagement, with feedback being used to refine and shortlist further options.
The identification of a preferred route option will only occur after future public consultations. The proposed scheme includes the creation of a new M5 Junction 9a near Tewkesbury and the diversion of the existing A46 around Ashchurch to Teddington Hands roundabout.
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This would reroute long distance traffic, including heavy goods vehicles, away from the current A46. As a result, this would decrease traffic on the existing A46 through Ashchurch, paving the way for local improvements for cyclists and pedestrians and enhancing the local environment.
It is also hoped that the newly diverted A46 would enhance journey times and road safety. The scheme aims to alleviate queuing back to the M5 from the Junction 9 roundabout, which is currently a safety concern.
The M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme is crucial for improving connectivity and facilitating planned strategic housing and employment growth in the area, including the Tewkesbury Garden Communities programme. This initiative will provide much-needed new homes and jobs in Tewkesbury.
Gloucestershire County Council has funded the early stages of the scheme's development, investing over £10 million so far in business case preparation. National Highways and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (now the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government) have also contributed, announcing awards of £1.5 million in March 2021 and a further £1.5 million in March 2022 (total £3m) to support the scheme's development.
A public engagement exercise forms part of the early development of the M5 Junction J9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme. However, the delivery of the scheme depends on securing funding from the Government. At this stage, no commitment can be given to funding being secured for the scheme's delivery.
Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “More than half of the traffic currently using the existing A46 through Ashchurch during peak periods is longer distance through-traffic. Our proposals would provide an alternative more suitable route for these vehicles, especially heavy goods traffic.
"This would benefit local residents and businesses by reducing traffic volume, noise and pollution on the existing A46 through Ashchurch. The scheme will also support sustainable travel options, with the needs of walkers, cyclists and horse riders considered in the overall design, and provide essential connectivity for the proposed garden communities, boosting sustainable growth and housing supply.”
A link to the online survey and details of the potential route options will be added to the scheme webpage on Monday, October 7. Face-to-face events will also be held at George Watson Memorial Hall (Watson Hall) on Saturday, October 19 from 10am to 5pm and at Northway Community Hub (Main Hall) on Wednesday, October 23 from 11am to 4pm, where you can meet the project team and find out more about the scheme. Hard copies and accessible formats of the public engagement documentation can be requested from Monday, October 7 by emailing M5Junction9@atkinsrealis.com or by calling 01454 667490 (Monday – Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm) and leaving a message.