Missing Link on track to open in 2027 - developers

National Highways senior project manager, Celine Acard says the scheme is expected to bring new housing and employment developments

The team behind a £460m scheme to change the layout of a major commuter route in Gloucestershire says its construction is "on time" and "on target".

The so-called "Missing Link" between Gloucester and Cirencester will be made entirely out of the existing ground and will replace the heavily congested single track of road on the A417 near Birdlip.

It is hoped the scheme, set to be completed in 2027, will bring major new housing and employment developments.

National Highways senior project manager, Celine Acard, said the group was also doing everything it can to reduce its carbon footprint.

The construction is expected to be completed by February 2027

"It is on time, on target and we're doing great to make sure that people can enjoy the new road as soon as possible and when we said we would reopen it," she said.

"We are doing our best to reuse everything we are excavating or doing on scheme to reduce our carbon footprint."

The new sunken three-mile (4.8km) long carriageway will have up to seven lanes of traffic.

The re-planting of trees alongside the route has also begun.

Ms James said the team has "mitigated" against the loss of any habitat for wildlife

Keir Group senior ecologist, Natasha James, said it was "inevitable" that "we do have to lose habitat" during the work.

"We've obviously mitigated for all of that and all of the wildlife that has been impacted by all of that," she added.

"But to be able to start building that habitat back up again is the best part of the job."

The "Missing Link" road is set open in February 2027.