Llanthony Road works complete after months of traffic misery

A major project to upgrade Gloucester’s A430 Llanthony Road at a notorious pinch point for traffic has been completed bringing an end to months of misery for motorists[1]. Crews have been widening the carriageway to two lanes for more than 18 months.

As well as widening the road, a new cycle path into the city centre[2] was introduced. Highways bosses hoped the multi-million pound scheme will improve traffic in and out of Gloucester[3] as well as make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists.

St Ann Way outside the High Orchard, has also been widened to provide two right turn lanes into Llanthony Road, with new traffic lights at Sudmeadow Road to help traffic to flow better. The side road junctions have been upgraded with pedestrian and cycle crossing improvements.

The road opened at a ceremony today (Wednesday August 16) with representatives from Gloucestershire County Council, the Department for Transport, GFirst LEP[5], and the contractors Montel. Funding for the works included £2million from the government via GFirst LEP and £12.822million of Levelling Up funding that the county council secured from the government.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning at Gloucestershire County Council[6], said: “I am delighted that we have completed these works on time and on budget. This scheme is already having an enormous effect on improving traffic flow in Gloucester which cuts down journey times, improves air quality and encourages more people into the city.

“A key part of this scheme is the fully segregated cycle route which provides a safe and direct route for cyclists of all abilities to get into the city. I would like to thank residents for their patience throughout the improvement works.”

Simon Turbutt, regional director of Montel Civil Engineering, said: “The Gloucester South West Bypass scheme has been an exciting project for Montel Civil Engineering to be involved with, our strong collaborative working relationship with the team at Gloucestershire County Council and their consultants at Atkins has resulted in this project being successfully delivered on time and on budget.

“We at Montel would like to thank the local community for their patience during construction, especially the residents and businesses situated in Sudmeadow Road and Hemmingsdale Road who have been incredibly supportive while we have been undertaking the works.”

Dev Chakraborty, deputy chief executive at GFirst LEP said: “This project benefits anybody who uses Gloucester city centre by foot, car, or cycle. These improvements ease congestion and traffic, making commuting and travel times mercifully shorter, it brings the M5 link closer for drivers. These improvements also benefit residents of this route, as traffic flows more freely.”

References

  1. ^ months of misery for motorists (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ city centre (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Huge 40-mile diversion for A417 two-mile overnight closure (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  5. ^ GFirst LEP (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
  6. ^ Gloucestershire County Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)

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