Drivers warned of road closures for A417 works

Essential works are due to take place on for the A417 Missing Link scheme

Drivers have been warned to plan ahead for weekend closures as essential works on a major road scheme take place.

New drainage and utility connections will be created on a two-mile stretch of the the A417 Missing Link project in Gloucestershire, between the A46 Brockworth junction and the Air Balloon roundabout.

Fully signed diversion routes, approved by Gloucestershire County Council, will be in place during the closures.

National Highways said the upgrades are due to take place in February and March, across two weekends.

The work will see closures between 23:00 GMT on 21 February, to 06:00 GMT on 24 February and 23:00 GMT on 7 March, to 06:00 GMT on 10 March.

Residents with permits and emergency services will continue to have access during the closures.

The £460m project between Gloucester and Cirencester will replace the heavily-congested single track of road on the A417 near Birdlip.

Missing Link project director Steve Foxley said he understood closures were "frustrating" but added "we carefully plan our schemes to limit any inconvenience as much as possible".

"Our message for anyone who plans to travel on the A417 is to avoid the area if you can – if that's not possible, allow yourself plenty of extra time to complete your journey via our diversion routes and expect delays," he added.

"We thank users for their patience while we carry out this vital work that will help deliver desperately needed improvements."

National Highways said a project hub at the Kier Crusher Plant, near Acorn House at Birdlip, will be open to the public from 3 February.