Drivers journeying between Gloucester, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Oxford will begin using the new missing link section of the A417 this week – marking a major milestone for the £500 million project that's been years in the making.
From 6am on Friday 18 September 2026, traffic will move onto a new permanent road layout designed to ease congestion and make the route safer for motorists long term.
The new layout for north and southbound journeys will see drivers travelling between Gloucester and Cirencester continue directly along the new A417, with the Air Balloon roundabout removed from the route.
Motorists travelling from Cheltenham and Oxford towards Gloucester will need to use the new A436 to reach a new junction, Shab Hill, before joining the northbound route towards Gloucester.
Works are set to continue along the route with contractor, Kier Group, building the remaining lanes of the carriageway and transforming the old section of the A417 for use by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The scheme, on which construction began in 2023, is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
National Highways says the road upgrade will ultimately deliver a 'safe and resilient' dual carriageway, improving the connection between the two dual carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth and Cowley, and a vital link between the M4 and M5.
Celine Acard, National Highways senior project manager for the scheme, said: 'The progress made on the A417 Missing Link has been truly significant, and this latest milestone reflects the dedication and collaboration of everyone involved in delivering this vital scheme.
'Once completed, the upgrade will transform journeys, improving reliability and safety, and bring long-term benefits for local communities, businesses and visitors alike.
'By switching traffic onto this new section now, it enables users to follow the new A417 from Gloucester to Cheltenham, improving journeys and safety, while minimising disruption and protecting our workforce.
'We appreciate this work may cause some delays when the layout first changes, but we expect journey times to improve on the A417 following the switch.'
Project director for Kier, Gavin Jones, added: 'This project milestone is very significant. It marks the first time that traffic will be able to travel along the length of the A417 from the M5 to the M4 without having to negotiate a roundabout.
'Effectively the A417 Missing Link project has now reached the point that the 'missing' can be consigned to history.
'We still have lots of work to do on the project, and you will see us working alongside the live carriageway on the new A417, building the remaining lanes, plus we will continue to transform the old A417 into a footpath, bridleway and cycle route.
'We thank the public and stakeholders for their support to get to this important point, and we appreciate everyone's patience whilst we finish the job.'
Road closures will be in place to enable teams to safely complete the switch, with the A417 being closed in both directions between the A46 Brockworth junction and the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout overnight, from 9pm on Thursday 17 September to 6am Friday 18 September 2026.
While the new A436 and A417 will be closed in both directions between the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout and the A429 Burford Road overnight, from 9pm on Wednesday 16 September to 6am Thursday 17 September 2026.
