Businesses frustrated over M5 junction delays

The project will allow drivers to join and leave the motorway, both northbound and southbound, at junction 10

Businesses around junction 10 of the M5 have said they are frustrated by delays to planned redevelopment work, with one having decided to move away.

A major project to build a new motorway junction, that would allow drivers to join and leave the M5 both northbound and southbound, was delayed by a year because it required Development Consent Order and as a result, the project has become £110m more expensive.

Business owners in the area have called for more clarity on when work will begin as they aim to prepare for expected disruption.

Local councils have said they remain committed to the project and have approved £40m to help plug the funding gap and have asked the government for £70m.

A Gloucestershire County Council report said project costs had soared to £363m since 2023, driven partly by inflation and extended deadlines.

The report said the scheme would "enable transformational growth across the region" and "unlock significant housing and employment opportunities" but one business in the area has had enough of the ongoing uncertainty.

Yard House Plants, which runs Knightsbridge Nursery, will relocate at the end of the year.

"I know it's going to cause us carnage so it's time for us to move," owner Brian Williams said.

"We were told it was going to happen in 2022, then 2023, we're in 2025 now so we're not sure what is happening."

Sara Gardner runs two businesses near the junction and wants to see it upgraded soon

Sara Gardner runs Cheltenham Storage Solutions and A2B Removals near the junction and wants to see work begin soon.

"The greatest impact is going to be Cheltenham Storage Solutions because it will impact on our customers," she said.

"We have already lost a couple of customers."

Two pubs in the area are also eager for the project to begin.

Gloucester Old Spot and Clavell & Hind Brewery and Tap Room feel it would attract more people to their businesses.

Owner of the Old Spot, Shawn Bound, said he wanted them to "crack on with it" adding it would be "short term pain for long term gain".

'We're with you'

Due to the funding gap, the county council has asked the government to provide funds on top of £249m it has already agreed to.

Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member for infrastructure, urged the government to "step up to the plate".

Addressing businesses directly, he said: "We're with with you. We're concerned about the delay, we just want to get on with it."

The project is seen as critical for economic development, with 15,000 homes and 12,000 jobs expected to be delivered.

"The government's very quick to say we need new homes. We've found a place where we can put new homes and affordable homes, we just need the funding," Tooke added.

The proposal for the £70m will now go to the government for consideration.

Work on the project is expected to start in 2026.