Gloucestershire County Council is reportedly set to give the go-ahead on moving the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme into its main construction phase.

The project, between Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, will see improvements to Junction 10 on the M5, a new road linking Junction 10 to west Cheltenham; the widening of the A4019, east of Junction 10; and provision of footways and cycle lanes for non-motorised traffic along local roads, says Gloucestershire News Centre.

A report due to be considered by Cabinet yesteday seeks approval to begin the next stage of the project, with construction expected to start later this year if agreed. A statement from the council, seen by Highways News, confirms that the project, which also includes improvements at Arle Court Transport Hub and the A38/A4019 junction at Coombe Hill, will cost £372m, an increase of £9m from September 2025. The scheme now has a budget of £407m, and includes two other small projects.

Council leaders say the project will help unlock more than 20,000 new homes, including 7,000 affordable properties, while supporting the Golden Valley development and a planned cyber technology hub expected to create around 12,000 jobs.

Most of the funding has been secured from central government, alongside developer contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy funding linked to future housing and employment growth.

Councillor Julian Tooke described the scheme as a “transformational project” that would improve transport links while supporting long-term economic growth across Gloucestershire.

The report states that the main contract award has not yet been made and is reliant on “securing negotiated contractual provisions with the [early contractor involvement] contractor via a deed of variation to the main contract terms”.

The scheme will create a new fully accessible motorway junction, improve the A4019 corridor and deliver a new link road serving west Cheltenham.

(Picture: Mapillary)