Metz Way to Abbeymead Avenue - Highway & Signal Improvements

The scheme was completed on 27 February 2019. Thank you for your patience during the construction of works

Over the next few weeks you may see crews on the road tidying up and checking quality of work, to make sure users and residents in the area have the high standard of improvements they expect

About the scheme

The aim of the scheme is to improve traffic flows along the Metz Way - Abbeymead Avenue route corridor.

The Abbeymead Avenue and Metz Way corridor is currently used by the Stagecoach Number 8 and 13 bus routes and significant peak period delays are currently experienced by these services due to congestion.

Abbeymead Avenue and Metz Way are local distributor roads for the large residential areas of Abbeymead, Abbeydale and Coney Hill and are on the most direct route into Gloucester city centre for many residents. In fact compared with the rest of Gloucestershire, part of Abbeymead is in the top 5% for 'commuting by car', with over 64% of residents using their private car to commute to work. This is contributing towards the current high peak hour traffic levels.

The Metz Way and Eastern Avenue Junction is a key part of Gloucester’s road network, connecting Abbeymead to the A38, one of the county’s principal roads. The scheme will include carriageway widening and applying the latest technology to the traffic signals at this junction.

The corridor improvements will help reduce peak period journey times, improve bus service reliability, potentially increase the proportion of cycle and public transport users and also encourage sustainable travel.

Where reasonably practicable, works will be done off-peak (9:30am - 3:30pm), limiting the impact on traffic flow at the busiest times of the day. To carry out the works safely it will also be necessary to have some night closures (specific dates will become available nearer the time). Access will be maintained for residents and businesses; there will be diversion routes in place, but if you have specific access requirements, please contact us in advance.

The overall scheme objectives are as follows:

Improve link between Coopers Edge and Gloucester City Centre
Improve local junctions on the route
Provide better opportunities for shift from car use to walking, cycling and public transport

The scheme will:

Reduce traffic queues and congestion
Improve bus journey times
Apply latest technology to existing traffic signals
Improve cycling facilities
Upgrade existing pedestrian crossings

The scheme involves work at the following locations:

Site	Location	Description of works
1	Metz Way junction with ASDA	Upgrading traffic signals
2	Metz Way junction with Eastern Avenue	Modification to highway alignment and upgrading of traffic signals
3	Metz Way, adjacent to St. Lawrence Road	Upgrading pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing
4	Abbeymead Avenue - Coney Hill Roundabout	Widening the existing shared use footway/cycleway from North Upton Lane to and around Coney Hill roundabout
5	Abbeymead Avenue junction with North Upton Lane	Improvements to highway alignment and upgrading traffic signals
6	Abbeymead Avenue, South of Oaks Roundabout	Upgrading pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing
7	Abbeymead Avenue junction with Kimberland Way	Upgrading pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing
8	Abbeymead Avenue, South of Mead Road	Upgrading pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing