'Ghost' M49 junction will finally be connected

The junction has not been used since being built in 2020

A "ghost" junction which has lain dormant for years will finally be connected to the main roadway.

National Highways spent more than £40m in 2020 building a roundabout above the M49 motorway between Severn Beach and Chittening, intended to be Junction 1.

The road was never completed due to "unforeseen circumstances", a council report said.

Earlier, South Gloucestershire Council granted planning permission to build a 160m (525ft) link road to the junction.

The link road is expected to take 12 months to complete, a date for the start of construction has not yet been confirmed.

The road at the Western Approach Distribution Park will be funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The council said it was working with the DfT and National Highways on the design and construction of the road, which it hopes will reduce congestion on local roads and the motorway.

It is hoped the road will also improve road safety and generate greater economic activity in the area.