West Cheltenham Transport Improvement Scheme - UK Cyber Business Park

Including:

• M5 J11 to Arle Court eastbound carriageway widening (towards Cheltenham)
• Provision of an additional circulatory lane around the roundabout
• Corresponding additional lanes to the A40 on the approaches and exits to and from the junction
• New bus lane on the B4063 approach from Staverton, also improving facilities for cyclists 
• Bus Lane modifications to improve journey times for public transport
• Widening the Hatherley Lane arm to the south side of the roundabout 
• Park and Ride Entrance/Exit westbound (towards Gloucester) from Arle Court Roundabout
• Proposal to improve cyclist access at specific junctions, such as Fiddlers Green Lane
• Investigating other cycling improvements as part of this phase

Phases 1 and 2 of the works (From M5 Junction 11 up to and including Arle Court Roundabout) will start in spring 2020.
It is currently anticipated that all works (including Phases 3 & 4) will complete by Autumn 2021.

The improvements are necessary to fulfill the commitment of the Gfirst LEP in supporting the region and enabling development in the vicinity of the site.

The main purpose of the schemes (Phases 1 & 2) is to fulfill the following objectives:

• Reduce peak period congestion for routes to/from Cheltenham, specifically along the A40
• Optimise the efficiency of the existing junctions, and aim to reduce delays for all traffic
• Improve provisions for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists
• To help accelerate the delivery of planned growth and improve access to existing and potential employment zones.

The estimated, total cost of the first two phases combined is £13m. All four phases are estimated to cost £22m.

The funding for the scheme is coming from the Gloucestershire First Local Enterprise Partnership (Gfirst LEP) Growth Deal and is subject to their approval of a Full Business Case.

The FBC is a document prepared by the project team and issued to the GFirst LEP for approval. The FBC includes an assessment of whether the scheme is fit for purpose and meets central and local government policies, it discusses what options have been considered, how options have been developed and if the scheme represents good value for money. Each of the four phases will require a separate FBC. 

Set up by central Government in 2011 to work with local businesses, local voluntary organisations and Local authorities, the role of GFirst LEP (Gloucester First Local Enterprise Partnership) is to drive sustainable economic growth in the county, and by doing so, create jobs and business opportunities. Run by a voluntary board of senior executives and elected representatives from Business and Local Authorities and a small team of full time staff. Based in the Growth Hub at the University of Gloucestershire. The LEP also supports a number of business sector groups that provide opportunities for business to “talk to government” directly.

These funds are specifically allocated for “Transformative Projects” that will drive economic development, focussed on transport infrastructure, skills infrastructure, business growth and remediation work on land to bring sites into use for housing and business use.

Whilst it is too early to confirm the exact arrangements required to manage traffic during the works, we will be maintaining access to businesses and residents and will be working hard to minimise disruption to the travelling public. To minimise disruption during the construction period, lane closures will be kept to off peak to help improve traffic flow at the busiest times.

As part of the tender process, for construction of the scheme we will set out requirements for methods of working. This will set out the approach to minimise and mitigate the impacts of noise/pollution etc. during the construction period.

One of the schemes primary objectives is to help alleviate existing congestion and accommodate for future demand on the highway network. The planned improvements will increase the capacity of the network as a whole and therefore help to accommodate future growth. Improving the bus lanes in the area will also help achieve this.

The proposed schemes do not use any of the highway previously associated with the westbound A40 Benhall Bus Lane scheme: the council decided not to continue its bid for funding to build this in November 2016.

Yes cyclists, taxis and private hire vehicles will be able to use the bus lane.

Yes. Site survey work will be carried out in order to assess the potential environmental impacts, and how the scheme design can mitigate these. The environmental assessment will consider all the environmental impacts of the scheme, and how these are to be mitigated.

The proposed schemes are located within the Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The extents of the current AQMA are under review and monitoring data published in the Annual Status Report 2018 confirmed that air quality objectives are only exceeded in the north of Cheltenham town centre. By addressing existing and future traffic congestion the proposed schemes should lead to a reduction in associated pollutant emissions.

Improving the wider bus, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure around the scheme also brings the potential increased shift to more sustainable transport methods. However, it is recognised that the improvements will also increase traffic capacity, and in turn increase total traffic flows, which could lead to an increase in emissions.

Further air quality assessments will be carried out to fully assess how the proposed work will affect current conditions at sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the schemes. This will include examination of how construction traffic and dust emissions may affect neighbouring properties.

The project team are liaising with CBC's local Environmental Health Officer, to confirm the appropriate criteria for the affected road network and to confirm the appropriate assessment methodology and mitigation for air quality assessment and EU compliance assessment.

Gloucestershire County Council will hold 'Public Share' events, these will provide the opportunity for the public to provide feedback, see the latest plans and to liaise with members of the project team who have been involved in the management and development of the schemes.

The next public share events will be held soon to find out more about Phases 3 and 4 of the work:

• Tuesday 17 March 2020, 2pm to 7pm Conference room - Hesters Way Community Resource Centre (Cassin Drive, Cheltenham, GL51 0LG)
• Thursday 19 March 2020 (4.30pm - 8.30pm) Jurys Inn Hotel, Cheltenham (Gloucester Rd, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS)

When a contractor is appointed to complete the works, a 'Meet the Contractor' event will also be held for members of the public to directly ask the contractor and members of the project team any questions they have on upcoming works.