A major project to upgrade junction 10 of the M5 — boosting billion-pound development in Cheltenham — has reached a 'vital milestone' this June 2025.
UK transport secretary Heidi Alexander has this week granted development consent for the £293 million scheme, giving the green light for construction to begin next spring.
Led by Gloucestershire County Council, the improvements will provide access in all directions on and off the motorway to the north west of Cheltenham, unlocking access to planned housing and employment sites in the area, including the recently approved, 4,115-home Elms Park development and the £1 billion Golden Valley project.
There are also hopes that it will 'create smoother and safer journeys for all' and improve travel times in the area.
Currently, drivers can only join the M5 northbound and exit southbound from junction 10 near Uckington, having to drive across town to junction 11 at the A40 to join southbound.
The project will deliver a new 'all-movements' junction, a new link road connecting the A4019 to the B4634 in west Cheltenham and the widening of the A4019 Tewkesbury Road, as well as new active travel facilities and flood mitigation measures.
Seen as key to accommodating increased traffic from Cheltenham's proposed developments, the scheme is categorised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by the UK government, requiring a development consent order from the secretary of state for transport.
The works will be funded by £212 million from the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, along with £81 million from developer contributions.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with completion anticipated in 2028.
Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire
County Council said: 'This is a landmark moment for Gloucestershire and a vital milestone for this
nationally significant project.
'We’re delighted that the secretary of state
recognises the importance of this scheme to the county’s future. The
improvements will not only unlock vital growth opportunities, including
thousands of new homes and jobs, they will also ease congestion and enhance
safety.'
