Campaigners want ‘damaging’ £500m A417 proposals dropped

05/04/2018 | CHRIS AMES

A county council has backed Highways England's plans for the A417 'missing link' in the Cotswolds despite environmental campaigners objecting to it in the ‘strongest possible terms’.

As Highways has reported previously, the government-owned company will have to ask the transport secretary for specific permission to move forward with one of its preferred options, which have been assessed as providing ‘poor’ and ‘low’ value for money respectively.

Campaign for Better Transport (CfBT) said the case for the new road is very poor and that if it were to go ahead in the proposed form it could set a dangerous precedent to building in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Roads campaigner Chris Todd questioned the consultation process and added: ‘These highly damaging proposals should be dropped immediately. Removing all tunnel options from the consultation by imposing an arbitrary spending limit and effectively only consulting on one option is excluding the public from helping shape the outcome. This is not an acceptable way for public money to be spent.

‘Highways England's preferred option would cause significant damage to the Cotswolds AONB. It clearly fails the major development test and would set a dangerous precedent for damaging development elsewhere. Highways England needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with something far better, including spending the money improving public transport and shifting freight from road to rail.'

Gloucestershire County Council strongly supports the proposals however, specifically Option 30 (pictured), a 3.4-mile surface route following the alignment of the existing A417 at Crickley Hill with less of a slope.

Although this option would cost £485m and provide a ‘low’ return of investment of £1.04, Highways England has said that it ‘is the only route to offer positive value for money, meaning that the return on investment is estimated to be higher than the initial cost’.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, chairman of Gloucestershire’s Economic Growth Joint Committee and cabinet member for economic development, said: ‘As lead cabinet member I support route option 30 as we continue to push for a solution to the A417 missing link.’

The ‘missing link’ is a 5km stretch of single carriageway on the A417, with the remaining route between the M4 at Swindon and M5 at Gloucester being dual carriageway. A consultation on Highways England’s plans closed last week.

Highways England has previously said that its two proposed options would provide a number of benefits, all of which would enhance the area’s economy.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW