Buckingham bags first phase of Cinderford spine road

Buckingham has bagged a contract to build the first phase of an estimated £9 million project to build a new spine road into the Cinderford Northern Quarter development in the Forest of Dean.

The Gloucestershire County Council had expected work to start in February but with Buckingham’s role confirmed a start on site is expected in the next few weeks.

Councillor Nigel Moor, the council’s cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure said: “The Cinderford Northern Quarter scheme will unlock more than £100 million in investment for Cinderford and the Forest of Dean, and this brand new road is a key part of the overall project.”

Buckingham’s section of the scheme is believed to be worth in the region of £2.4 million and the firm is already gearing up for a start.

“Our team is already developing the detailed plans that will help the works to be delivered in a manner that protects biodiversity and the local environment," said Ian McSeveney, managing director of Buckingham’s civil engineering arm.

“We’re looking forward to starting the construction work in the near future.”

The first phase comprises a road linking Broadmoor Road to Cinderford Brook to provide access to the education campus part of the new development.

A second section of road from Cinderford Brook to the bend before the Northern United site will unlock the land for proposed hotel, office and residential developments.

The third stage will run frpm the Northern United to the A4136 and provide a link through the A4136 to sites earmarked for office and industrial development.

The project secured planning approval in November 2014 and funding for the first phase was agreed in December 2015 when Gloucestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership GFirst confirmed a £3.8 million grant through the Local Growth Deal.