The scheme proposes a new or reconfigured M5 Junction near Tewkesbury and rerouting a section of the A46 between the M5 Junction 9 to Teddington Hands roundabout. The scheme will provide benefits to Tewkesbury and Ashchurch residents and businesses by improving journey times and reliability on the local highway network to Junction 9. The scheme will re-route long-distance traffic away from the existing A46 through Ashchurch, on to the new road, enabling opportunities to deliver an improved street environment through Ashchurch and supporting shift to sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport.
M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme - FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions - September 2024
The scheme
The scheme proposes a new or reconfigured M5 Junction near Tewkesbury and rerouting a section of the A46 between the M5 Junction 9 to Teddington Hands roundabout. The scheme will provide benefits to Tewkesbury and Ashchurch residents and businesses by improving journey times and reliability on the local highway network to Junction 9. The scheme will re-route long-distance traffic away from the existing A46 through Ashchurch, on to the new road, enabling opportunities to deliver an improved street environment through Ashchurch and supporting shift to sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport.
The need for improvements to the M5 Junction 9 and A46 through Ashchurch has become more compelling in recent years and would address the following issues:
- Congestion on this section of the A46 and at M5 Junction 9 means that journeys are unreliable and experience delays
- Tewkesbury Garden Town cannot be delivered without additional capacity on the road network
- Developments which already have planning permission are increasing traffic in this location
- The level of traffic on the A46, particularly HGVs, makes the road difficult to cross and discourages travel by cycle or on foot
- At peak times queuing from M5 Junction 9 can reach back down the slip road to the M5 motorway.
These issues cannot be addressed through improvements to walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure By diverting long distance traffic away from the existing A46 to the new road, opportunities will be created to address the issues identified above. This will support the achievement of the UK’s target to make all sectors of the economy carbon neutral by 2050 and encourage greater use of sustainable transport.
The need for improvements to the M5 Junction 9 and A46 through Ashchurch has become more compelling in recent years and would address the following issues:
- Congestion on this section of the A46 and at M5 Junction 9 means that journeys are unreliable and experience delays
- Tewkesbury Garden Town cannot be delivered without additional capacity on the road network
- Developments which already have planning permission are increasing traffic in this location
- The level of traffic on the A46, particularly HGVs, makes the road difficult to cross and discourages travel by cycle or on foot
- At peak times queuing from M5 Junction 9 can reach back down the slip road to the M5 motorway.
These issues cannot be addressed through improvements to walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure By diverting long distance traffic away from the existing A46 to the new road, opportunities will be created to address the issues identified above. This will support the achievement of the UK’s target to make all sectors of the economy carbon neutral by 2050 and encourage greater use of sustainable transport.
As this proposal is in the early stages of development, the exact location of the new road and details of the junction upgrade are yet be decided and work is currently being carried out to identify the most suitable option (subject to public consultation).
As this proposal is in the early stages of development, the exact location of the new road and details of the junction upgrade are yet be decided and work is currently being carried out to identify the most suitable option (subject to public consultation).
A full range of scheme options is being considered to meet the scheme objectives. This includes single, dual and hybrid (part single – part dual) variants of these and a range of technical evidence will be used to determine what will be taken forward. A final decision on the characteristics of the new road will be made at a later stage of business case development (i.e. Outline Business Case).
A full range of scheme options is being considered to meet the scheme objectives. This includes single, dual and hybrid (part single – part dual) variants of these and a range of technical evidence will be used to determine what will be taken forward. A final decision on the characteristics of the new road will be made at a later stage of business case development (i.e. Outline Business Case).
Bid and funding
In 2019 Gloucestershire County Council identified the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Large Local Majors (LLM) fund as an opportunity to develop a scheme of improvements at M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch).
GCC have funded business case development, with support also provided by the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through Homes England.
Subject to successful Strategic Outline Case (SOC) approval, funding will be provided by DfT and GCC for Outline Business Case (OBC) development and identification of a preferred route.
It is currently proposed that, subject to an approved OBC and funding from the Department for Transport being in place, National Highways will take the scheme on to complete the Preferred Route Announcement and be responsible for detailed design and construction of the scheme.
In 2019 Gloucestershire County Council identified the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Large Local Majors (LLM) fund as an opportunity to develop a scheme of improvements at M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch).
GCC have funded business case development, with support also provided by the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) through Homes England.
Subject to successful Strategic Outline Case (SOC) approval, funding will be provided by DfT and GCC for Outline Business Case (OBC) development and identification of a preferred route.
It is currently proposed that, subject to an approved OBC and funding from the Department for Transport being in place, National Highways will take the scheme on to complete the Preferred Route Announcement and be responsible for detailed design and construction of the scheme.
The government-produced eligibility criteria for the Large Local Majors (LLM) fund specifies the type of schemes which can receive the fund. Repairing potholes is not included in this list. Further information can be found here.
The revenue spent by Gloucestershire County Council to develop the business cases for schemes, helps to secure millions of pounds of investment for infrastructure, such as the M5 J9 and A46 Transport Scheme, which GCC would otherwise not have the ability to fund.
The government-produced eligibility criteria for the Large Local Majors (LLM) fund specifies the type of schemes which can receive the fund. Repairing potholes is not included in this list. Further information can be found here.
The revenue spent by Gloucestershire County Council to develop the business cases for schemes, helps to secure millions of pounds of investment for infrastructure, such as the M5 J9 and A46 Transport Scheme, which GCC would otherwise not have the ability to fund.
Environment and ecology
Studies are ongoing to fully assess the impacts of the options on the key environmental receptors. As each option has limited design detail at this stage, it is difficult to outline specific proposed mitigation for each option. However, where environmental impacts have been identified, we will avoid impacts wherever possible, then mitigate unavoidable impacts, and, as a last resort, compensate for unavoidable residual impacts which remain after avoidance and mitigation measures. Best practice design measures will be adopted to mitigate any potential environmental impacts.
Studies are ongoing to fully assess the impacts of the options on the key environmental receptors. As each option has limited design detail at this stage, it is difficult to outline specific proposed mitigation for each option. However, where environmental impacts have been identified, we will avoid impacts wherever possible, then mitigate unavoidable impacts, and, as a last resort, compensate for unavoidable residual impacts which remain after avoidance and mitigation measures. Best practice design measures will be adopted to mitigate any potential environmental impacts.
GCC recognises the need for demand management to reduce future traffic levels and is committed to encouraging greater active travel and public transport use. However, for journeys where walking, cycling or public transport are not realistic and therefore driving is required, the council has a responsibility to ensure that the local road network is futureproofed. Gloucestershire is facing rapidly growing housing and employment needs and the correct transport infrastructure must be provided to support this future growth. This scheme is being brought forward to ensure that the local network can cope with future traffic levels and best serve Gloucestershire’s growing population.
The scheme will re-route long-distance traffic away from the existing A46 through Ashchurch on to the new road, enabling delivery of an improved street environment through Ashchurch and supporting shift to sustainable modes. By alleviating the existing A46 the scheme will also support sustainable local growth plans in Gloucestershire, with the old route passing through the Tewkesbury Garden Town.
GCC recognises the need for demand management to reduce future traffic levels and is committed to encouraging greater active travel and public transport use. However, for journeys where walking, cycling or public transport are not realistic and therefore driving is required, the council has a responsibility to ensure that the local road network is futureproofed. Gloucestershire is facing rapidly growing housing and employment needs and the correct transport infrastructure must be provided to support this future growth. This scheme is being brought forward to ensure that the local network can cope with future traffic levels and best serve Gloucestershire’s growing population.
The scheme will re-route long-distance traffic away from the existing A46 through Ashchurch on to the new road, enabling delivery of an improved street environment through Ashchurch and supporting shift to sustainable modes. By alleviating the existing A46 the scheme will also support sustainable local growth plans in Gloucestershire, with the old route passing through the Tewkesbury Garden Town.
Traffic impacts
Traffic modelling is currently being undertaken to fully understand the impact of the scheme. We are working alongside National Highways to understand the impact of the scheme on the local and wider road network.
Traffic modelling is currently being undertaken to fully understand the impact of the scheme. We are working alongside National Highways to understand the impact of the scheme on the local and wider road network.
More than half of the traffic currently using the existing A46 through Ashchurch during peak periods is longer distance through-traffic. Our proposals would provide an alternative, more suitable, route for these vehicles, especially for long distance heavy goods traffic. This would benefit local residents and businesses by reducing traffic on the existing A46 through Ashchurch. This would also improve journey times and reliability.
More than half of the traffic currently using the existing A46 through Ashchurch during peak periods is longer distance through-traffic. Our proposals would provide an alternative, more suitable, route for these vehicles, especially for long distance heavy goods traffic. This would benefit local residents and businesses by reducing traffic on the existing A46 through Ashchurch. This would also improve journey times and reliability.
The reductions in traffic volumes, particularly HGVs, on the A46 through Ashchurch will provide long term environmental benefits for the local community, including reductions in noise and vibrations. As the preferred option is identified, we will work with local communities to ensure they have suitable access and provide opportunities for people to cycle, horse ride and walk more easily in the area.
The reductions in traffic volumes, particularly HGVs, on the A46 through Ashchurch will provide long term environmental benefits for the local community, including reductions in noise and vibrations. As the preferred option is identified, we will work with local communities to ensure they have suitable access and provide opportunities for people to cycle, horse ride and walk more easily in the area.
Wider context
Tewkesbury Borough Council is developing plans for Tewkesbury Garden Town to meet future housing and employment land needs for the Borough. Significant investment in infrastructure including new roads, public transport, walking and cycling routes will be needed as part of the Garden Town development.
This scheme will remove long-distance traffic from the existing A46 through Ashchurch, providing additional road capacity to assist the full-scale delivery of homes and employment opportunities within the Garden Town area. The reduced traffic levels from long-distance traffic on the existing A46 will give the opportunity to improve access by walking, cycling and public transport for local movement as the Garden Town develops.
More information about the Garden Town development.
Tewkesbury Borough Council is developing plans for Tewkesbury Garden Town to meet future housing and employment land needs for the Borough. Significant investment in infrastructure including new roads, public transport, walking and cycling routes will be needed as part of the Garden Town development.
This scheme will remove long-distance traffic from the existing A46 through Ashchurch, providing additional road capacity to assist the full-scale delivery of homes and employment opportunities within the Garden Town area. The reduced traffic levels from long-distance traffic on the existing A46 will give the opportunity to improve access by walking, cycling and public transport for local movement as the Garden Town develops.
More information about the Garden Town development.
We are currently undertaking work to review scheme options. Once this analysis has been completed we will undertake a non-statutory public consultation on these shortlisted scheme options. This is planned for 2023. Your views and comments received during the non-statutory public consultation will be considered and summarised in a public consultation report. This feedback will be used to refine the options and will be combined with the findings from further technical work. This will then inform the decision on a preferred route for the scheme.
Following a preferred route announcement, we will further develop the proposals for the scheme. You will have a further opportunity to give feedback, this time on the preferred route during a statutory consultation.
After this statutory consultation we will carry out more detailed assessments to confirm our scheme before applying for planning consent.
For all projects of this nature, known as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, we are required to submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate. This is called the Development Consent Order Process (DCO). We will only be given consent to construct the scheme if the Development Consent is granted. You can find out more about the DCO process at: infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
The earliest that scheme would be completed and open for traffic is 2031.
We are currently undertaking work to review scheme options. Once this analysis has been completed we will undertake a non-statutory public consultation on these shortlisted scheme options. This is planned for 2023. Your views and comments received during the non-statutory public consultation will be considered and summarised in a public consultation report. This feedback will be used to refine the options and will be combined with the findings from further technical work. This will then inform the decision on a preferred route for the scheme.
Following a preferred route announcement, we will further develop the proposals for the scheme. You will have a further opportunity to give feedback, this time on the preferred route during a statutory consultation.
After this statutory consultation we will carry out more detailed assessments to confirm our scheme before applying for planning consent.
For all projects of this nature, known as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, we are required to submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate. This is called the Development Consent Order Process (DCO). We will only be given consent to construct the scheme if the Development Consent is granted. You can find out more about the DCO process at: infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk.
The earliest that scheme would be completed and open for traffic is 2031.
Consideration has been given as to whether the scheme is likely to be classified as EIA development through considering how it relates to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended). It is considered likely that the scheme will be classified as EIA development and an Environmental Statement will be required as part of the DCO application. The passage of Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill through Parliament should be followed to identify any changes to legislation associated with the proposed ‘Environmental Outcomes Reports’ (EOR). The EOR will measure anticipated environmental effects of the plan against the specified outcomes, identifying suitable steps to:
(a) increase the extent of an outcome being delivered
(b) avoid the effects of not delivering an outcome
(c) mitigate unavoidable effects of not delivering an outcome
(d) remedy the effects of not delivering an outcome which cannot be mitigated and
(e) compensate for the effects of not delivering an outcome which cannot be remedied.
Consideration has been given as to whether the scheme is likely to be classified as EIA development through considering how it relates to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended). It is considered likely that the scheme will be classified as EIA development and an Environmental Statement will be required as part of the DCO application. The passage of Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill through Parliament should be followed to identify any changes to legislation associated with the proposed ‘Environmental Outcomes Reports’ (EOR). The EOR will measure anticipated environmental effects of the plan against the specified outcomes, identifying suitable steps to:
(a) increase the extent of an outcome being delivered
(b) avoid the effects of not delivering an outcome
(c) mitigate unavoidable effects of not delivering an outcome
(d) remedy the effects of not delivering an outcome which cannot be mitigated and
(e) compensate for the effects of not delivering an outcome which cannot be remedied.