Gloucestershire councillors are calling on the government to commit to funding a major upgrade to the M5, near Tewkesbury, after the recent announcement that national roads funding will be reallocated to defence.
The proposed scheme to develop a new M5 Junction 9a to the south of Tewkesbury and re-route a section of the A46 between the M5 and Teddington Hands roundabout has been in development since 2020 and was estimated to cost between £740 million and £930 million in 2024.
The scheme is seen as key to easing frequent traffic congestion in the area at peak times, which is expected to worsen in the coming years due to planned development, including the creation of up to 25,000 homes at Tewkesbury Garden Communities.
But concerns are now growing at Gloucestershire County Council that government funding for the project could be sacrificed following recent announcements about the reallocation of funding to defence, according to local democracy reporter Carmelo Garcia.
Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure at the county council, said: 'The government has been very clear in its expectation that councils enable the building of more homes and has set ambitious targets. Housing has to come with improved infrastructure.
'The government has spoken about the possible reallocation of funds to defence from infrastructure. We are very concerned that Gloucestershire’s need for improvements to Junction 9 of the M5 and the A46 may get sacrificed.'
Councillor for Tewkesbury West, Vernon Smith, said it would be a 'betrayal' of Tewkesbury and 'the whole of Gloucestershire' if the scheme doesn't get government funding.
With billions of additional funding being committed to defence investment by the government, it has been announced that the Department for Transport (DfT) will provide savings of up to £700 million from its roads funding.
And while it is yet to comment on funding prospects for Junction 9, the DfT is set to consult on reductions and some cancellations of proposed schemes nationally.
The M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme is considered still in the early stages of development, with the latest action being a public engagement exercise in 2024 over potential routes for the new road. Its progression is now dependant on the committal of government funding.
