Public engagement events coming up for M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme
The events will take place at George Watson Memorial Hall (Watson Hall) on Saturday 19 October from 10am – 5pm and at Northway Community Hub (Main Hall) on Wednesday 23 October from 11am – 4pm. The public will get the opportunity to meet with the project team, find out more about the scheme and share their feedback.
Those unable to make the events can view the potential route options and complete the online survey at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/J9. Hard copies and accessible formats of the public engagement documentation can be requested by emailing M5Junction9@atkinsrealis.com or by calling 01454 667490 and leaving a message.
The scheme proposes the development of a new M5 Junction 9a near Tewkesbury and the re-routing of the existing A46 around Ashchurch to Teddington Hands roundabout. This would divert long distance traffic away from the existing A46, including heavy goods vehicles. In turn, this would reduce traffic on the existing A46 through Ashchurch, allow local improvements for cycling and walking to take place and enhance the local environment. In addition, the new rerouted A46 would improve journey times and road safety. The scheme would reduce queuing back to the M5 from the Junction 9 roundabout, which is currently a safety concern.
The M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme is also essential to providing the connectivity to and unlocking the capacity for planned and proposed strategic housing and employment growth in the area. This includes the Tewkesbury Garden Communities programme, which will provide much-needed new homes and jobs in Tewkesbury.
The public engagement exercise started on 7 October and runs until 2 December. This is the first stage of public engagement. A preferred route option would only be identified following future public consultations.
Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “It’s really important that you share your views with us via our online survey, particularly if you live, work or travel close to the scheme. We would also encourage anyone who has an interest in the potential route options to join us for our face-to-face events. Your feedback will be used to inform future options refinement and shortlisting.”
The early stages of the scheme’s development have been funded by Gloucestershire County Council, investing over £10 million to date in business case preparation, National Highways and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (now the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government), who announced awards of £1.5 million in March 2021 and a further £1.5 million in March 2022 (total £3m) to support the development of the scheme.
The public engagement exercise forms part of the early development of the M5 Junction J9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme, which will rely on securing funding from Government to deliver the scheme. At this early stage, no commitment can therefore be given to funding being secured for the scheme delivery.