Consultation opens on plans to upgrade A417

Highways England wants local people to have their say on plans to upgrade the A417 near Birdlip in Gloucestershire.

The route provides an important link road between Gloucester and Swindon.

But although most of the road is dual carriageway, there is one section between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley roundabout that is not.

The stretch of single carriageway, known locally as 'The Missing Link' is often slow and congested because it is steep and has limited visibility.

This has created an accident black spot where several fatal crashes have occurred.

There are also two roundabouts restricting traffic flowing through.

Highways England says it has spent 18 months investigating potential routes for improving the Missing Link.

It has released two possible options for improving the system and has opened a consultation on the proposals.

The consultation will run until 29 March.

If approved, work on the scheme is expected to take place between 2020 and 2025.

You can find more information and can participate in the consultation on the Highways England website.