Disappointment as motorway junction plan scrapped

Council chiefs have described the government's decision to scrap plans for a new motorway junction as "deeply disappointing".

Gloucestershire County Council wanted to build a new M5 junction to the south of Tewkesbury to help unlock plans for 25,000 homes.

The Department for Transport has now said that the scheme has been removed from its programme.

Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "This is an extremely short-sighted and deeply disappointing decision by the government. The government cannot continue to demand that areas such as ours deliver significant numbers of new homes while refusing to invest in the infrastructure needed to support them."

The council added that as well as improving the road network, the scheme would have supported future housing and employment growth around Tewkesbury.

"Housing growth without the roads, public transport, and active travel connections to serve it is neither responsible nor sustainable," Spivey added.

Councillor Richard Stanley, leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, added that there was a "clear and compelling case" for investment in the scheme.

"It would have supported major housing growth, opened access to employment land and helped attract investment in strategically important sectors, including advanced manufacturing and defence," Stanley said.

"This decision sends entirely the wrong signal to residents, businesses and investors who want to see our county prosper.

"We will continue to stand up for Gloucestershire and make the strongest possible case for the infrastructure Gloucestershire needs and deserves, because the need for this investment has not gone away."

The government said in July that it remains committed to protecting funding for local authorities to mend potholes and repair their roads, protecting investment in rail infrastructure and it will not impact bus or rail services.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.