Aerial pictures show progress on major road scheme

Concrete has been poured into foundations for the road

New pictures show how work is coming along to change the layout of a major commuter route.

National Highways said its project team had made "huge strides" on the A417 Missing Link scheme in Gloucestershire.

This includes the completion of 25m-deep foundations and filling them with 360 cubic metres (12713 cubic ft) of concrete – setting the base - at Shab Hill.

A417 project director for National Highways Steve Foxley said the scheme was "vital" for the south-west of England.

The new road is expected to be completed and open by 2027

He said: "We’re delighted to have made so much progress, so quickly on the scheme and we can’t wait to see customers get the full benefit this vital upgrade.

“The upgrade will mean smoother, safer and more reliable journeys for drivers and we will build on the progress already made to deliver this new stretch of road as soon as we can.”

The scheme will cost £460m

The £460m scheme will create a three-mile (4.8km) dual carriageway on the A417 between Gloucester and Cirencester.

It is hoped the new road will reduce traffic congestion at the single-carriageway bottleneck stretch past Birdlip.

National Highways said Shab Valley had been "transformed"

As well as the dual carriageway, a number of "green bridges" will be built to boost wildlife in the area.

The new road is expected to be completed and open by 2027.