News

A417 Missing Link Reaches Major Milestone

Posted on By Town Clerk

Information from National Highways South West:

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/roads-and-travel/road-projects/south-west/a417-missing-link/

New, permanent road layout opening on 18 September

Drivers will begin using a new section of the A417 Missing Link scheme from 6am on Friday 18 September 2026, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the upgrade between Gloucester and Cirencester.

Drivers will start using the new permanent route for north and southbound journeys between Gloucester, Cirencester, Cheltenham and Oxford.

Please note that the traffic switch date may change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Any updates will be published on this webpage and shared through our email distribution list.

Weekend and overnight road closures

To safely complete the switch, the A417 will be closed in both directions between the A46 Brockworth Junction and the Air Balloon roundabout during the following periods:

  • 11pm Friday 11 to 6am Monday 14 September (24/7 weekend closure)
  • Monday 14 to Wednesday 16 September overnight (9pm-6am)
  • Thursday 17 September overnight (9pm – 6am)

The new A436 and A417 will also be closed in both directions between the Air Balloon and Ullenwood roundabout and A429 Burford Road overnight:

  • Wednesday 16 September (9pm – 6am)

These activities may generate some noise while we’re working.

We’ll maintain access for emergency services throughout.

Fully signed diversion routes will be in place during all closures.

Please follow the official diversion routes rather than sat-navs.

What to expect

Following the traffic switch, drivers travelling northbound from Cirencester towards Gloucester will continue directly along the new A417 without leaving the route at Shab Hill junction.

Southbound traffic travelling from Gloucester will continue straight ahead towards Cowley junction and Cirencester on the new A417, following the removal of the Air Balloon roundabout.

The new B4070 leading to Birdlip and the northbound slip road at Cowley junction will open later this year. Access to Birdlip will remain via the existing route through Cowley junction.

Traffic changes for journeys from Cheltenham and Oxford

The new road layout will bring significant changes for motorists travelling to Gloucester from Cheltenham via Leckhampton Hill and from Oxford via Seven Springs and the A436.

There will no longer be a direct route from Cheltenham and Oxford to Gloucester. Instead, traffic will use the new A436 to reach Shab Hill junction, where drivers can either:

  • continue towards Cirencester, or
  • use the underpass to access the northbound slip road towards Gloucester

To help road users understand the changes, diagrams and information about the new layout are available below.

Ash Die Back Works on A429 Fosseway, 14-18 Sept 2026

Posted on By Town Clerk

Information from Gloucestershire County Council:

Ref: 43116096

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Ash Dieback

Dear Sir/Madam

  • What: Temporary Traffic Order to close the road for essential Ash Dieback tree work.
  • Where: A429 Fosseway – from A436 Old Gloucester Road Jct to A40 Jct near Northleach (see the attached for details of the exact location)
  • When: 14–18th September 2026 inclusive – from 09.30 to 15.30 daily

On behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, we advise you that we are due to be conducting essential work at the above location to remove unsafe trees infected with Ash Dieback.

Ash Dieback disease causes Ash trees to become unsafe; trees could shed limbs or collapse on to the road causing harm and injury. This work must take place for health and safety reasons, to protect road users and pedestrians, and make sure the carriageway remains clear of debris.

If you have any queries, please refer to the letter attached to this email, the Frequently Asked Questions on our website, Ash Dieback Road Closure FAQ/Highways, contact us on 08000 514514 or email AshDieback@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Thank you in advance for your patience and co-operation.

Ash Dieback Officer
Gloucestershire County Council

Letter (B) – A429 from A436 Jct to A40 Jct

Northleach Photographic Group Summer Exhibition

Posted on By Town Clerk

Northleach Photographic Group (NPG) is delighted to announce their first public photographic exhibition this summer.

39 images taken by group members are currently displayed in the shops, pubs, wine bar and some local windows on the High Street and Market Place in Northleach.

Don’t miss a chance to see it! The exhibition is expected to run until the end of the first week in September.

For those who would like to see the exhibition in situ, you can do so at the following venues in Northleach marked on the map below.

Map of photography exhibition trail in Northleach

You can also visit the NPG Summer Exhibition on the group’s Facebook page, where you can vote for your favourite photos.

Road Closure, Tannery Lane, Northleach on 16-18 Nov 2026

Posted on By Town Clerk

Please be advised of the following closure:

  • Tannery Lane, Northleach

This road will be closed (as per the attached plan) on 16/11/2026 to 18/11/2026 to allow for water service repair work by Thames Water.

Tannery Lane, Northleach Map CO1421

Emergency and pedestrian access will be maintained.

If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Cotswold District Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation

Posted on By Town Clerk

Information from Cotswold District Council:

Cotswold District Local Plan Regulation 19 stage of the consultation is now open for comments.

What you need to know

Cotswold District Council is inviting representations on the Publication Version of the Cotswold District Local Plan 2026-2043.

The consultation will run for six weeks from 24 August 2026 until 5 October 2026.

The Local Plan sets out the Council’s proposed planning strategy for the district to 2043, including policies and proposals for housing, employment, infrastructure, environmental protection and sustainable development. Once adopted, the new Local Plan will replace the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-2031 and will form the basis for determining planning applications across the district.

This consultation represents the final stage of plan preparation before the Local Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Unlike earlier consultation stages, the purpose of the Regulation 19 consultation is to invite formal representations on whether the Publication Local Plan is legally compliant and ‘sound’.

How to have your say

The easiest way to have your say is using the online consultation form: your.cotswold.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/local-plan-reg19.

You can also email local.plan@cotswold.gov.uk to request a copy of the offline form, which you can return via email or post.

Please note that representations and the names of respondents may be published as part of the examination process.

All representations received during the consultation period will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector together with the Council’s responses. A copy of the Local Plan consultation privacy notice is available online.

Find out more – dates for your diary

Cotswold District Council will be hosting exhibitions where you can meet planning officers and ask questions about the process.

  • Tuesday 25 August, 1:00pm to 7:30pm, Fairford Community Centre, Fairford, GL7 4AF
  • Friday 28 August, 1:00pm to 7:30pm, Cirencester Baptist Church, Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, GL7 1YE #
  • Tuesday 15 September, 1:00pm to 7:30pm, Redesdale Hall, High Street, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 0AX
  • Tuesday 22 September, 1:00pm to 7:30pm, Chipping Campden Town Hall, High Street, Chipping Campden, GL55 6HB

There’s no need to book – just come along.

Head over to the Council’s website to view the plan and supporting documents: www.cotswold.gov.uk/localplan.

have your say

Image caption: Cllr Mike Evemy, Leader of Cotswold District Council presents the case for the Local Plan to the Council.
Credit: Cotswold District Council.