Weekend closures planned ahead of new road opening

Two weekends of road closures have been planned as the first segment of a £460m highways project is opened to traffic.

A new one-lane section of the A417 from the A46 towards the Air Balloon roundabout will be open to drivers on 2 February, and road users coming down the A417 at the bottom of the hill will be moved left towards the A46 junction and under the bridge.

The switch will come after two full closures on separate weekends - one from 21:00 GMT on 16 January to 06:00 GMT on 19 January, and then 21:00 GMT on 30 January to 06:00 GMT on 2 February.

The closures will allow for works on the drainage, kerb, pavements, and central reservation.

Access for traffic heading towards Cirencester via the A417, Leckhampton Hill, and the A436 will be maintained via the Air Balloon roundabout.

Entry to Crickley Hill Country Park will also be maintained.

Along with the weekend closures, there will be an overnight closure of the A417 between The Air Balloon roundabout and The Highwayman Inn from 21:00 GMT on 15 January until 06:00 GMT on 16 January.

Northbound traffic between Cirencester and the Air Balloon roundabout will remain unaffected.

Other changes coming up in 2026 include traffic moving to the new A436 through to Cowley and Crickley Hill onto the new road alignment from spring, following the new road up and under the green bridge, and utilising the new Shab Valley Interchange.

National Highways said it will also continue to plant 100,000 trees throughout the year, along with completing access roads.

A public information event will be held for the general public on 13 January, at The George in Birdlip between 11:00 GMT and 14:30 GMT.

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