Growth expected in area around major road scheme

The Missing Link is a long-running scheme that aims to reduce traffic delays at a congestion hotspot

A £460m scheme to change the layout of a major commuter route is expected to bring "a lot of growth" to the surrounding area.

The A417 Missing Link will see a three-mile (4.8km) dual carriageway created between Gloucester and Cirencester to reduce traffic delays at a congestion hotspot.

It is thought that the scheme, set to be completed by 2027, will bring major new housing and employment developments.

North Cotswolds MP, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, said one of his main tasks will be to ensure that sufficient infrastructure and services are provided around any new housing developments.

The MP said the Missing Link scheme is "bound to increase the pressure" for employment and housing.

“My thought is that the new A417 Missing link is going to bring quite a lot of growth to Cirencester,” he said.

“We are going to see a lot more development in the area.

"My task is to say to councils when drawing up their plans is... make sure you've got the doctor's surgeries, libraries, community centres, schools, sewage works and roads to go with it."

He added that he will liaise with the government over housing targets.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is the North Cotswolds MP

It comes after concerns were raised earlier this year about the creation of garden towns in the county.

A leaked council document shared with districts suggested creating them to help build 142,000 homes across Gloucestershire by 2051.

Places such as Boddington, Standish and Kemble were earmarked, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The draft strategy also proposed removing the green belt north of the A40 between Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Gloucestershire County Council said the document is not official policy and was produced to discuss where sustainable housing could be built.