Heatwave Delays Opening of New A417 Section as National Highways Pushes Back Major Traffic Switch

Drivers will have to wait a little longer before using the first completed section of the new A417 Missing Link after extreme temperatures forced National Highways to postpone a key traffic switch.

Motorists had been due to begin using almost two miles of the newly constructed dual carriageway following a planned weekend closure at the end of June. However, the milestone has now been rescheduled for the weekend of 3–6 July, subject to weather conditions.

According to National Highways, prolonged high temperatures have slowed progress on site and affected the curing time of several layers of asphalt required on the new A436. Construction teams have also adapted working practices to protect staff from the effects of the heatwave.

A spokesperson said workforce welfare had remained the priority while construction activities were adjusted to ensure the work could be completed safely.

Once the delayed traffic switch is completed, vehicles will be diverted onto a newly built two-mile section of the future A417 route. The change will allow construction to continue on the remainder of the £460 million scheme while keeping traffic moving through the corridor.

The new alignment will take drivers beneath the recently completed green bridge and through the new Shab Valley interchange. Temporary traffic management will remain in place, including narrowed lanes and a 40mph speed limit, while work continues elsewhere on the project.

As part of the switch, the existing stretch of the A417 between the Air Balloon junction and the B4070 will permanently close to through traffic. In the future, this section will be repurposed to provide routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The A417 Missing Link is one of National Highways' flagship road projects and is designed to eliminate the long-standing single carriageway bottleneck between Brockworth and Cowley, creating a continuous dual carriageway connection between the M4 and M5.

National Highways Senior Project Manager Celine Acard said the latest milestone represented another significant step towards completing the scheme, which is expected to improve safety, reduce congestion and provide more reliable journeys across Gloucestershire and the wider South West.

She acknowledged the disruption caused by the revised programme and encouraged motorists to plan ahead during the closure period and consider alternative routes where possible.

The temporary traffic arrangement is expected to remain in place for at least five weeks while construction progresses, with further overnight and weekend closures planned during July as work continues on the new route.