Rock-climbing engineers tackle 'challenging' A417 scheme

Rock-climbing engineers have been scaling steep slopes as part of a £460m scheme to build a dual carriageway into natural surroundings.

National Highways' £460m A417 Missing Link Scheme in Gloucestershire will create a three-mile (4.8km) dual carriageway on the A417 between Gloucester and Cirencester.

Based on one of the country's highest inland concentrations of landslides, contractor Kier described excavating the slopes as one of its biggest engineering challenges.

Celine Acard, National Highways senior project manager, said: "Our work on this vital scheme goes beyond simply building a new road, but also helping to preserve and enhance the landscape."

It is hoped the scheme, set to be completed in 2027, will bring major new housing and employment developments.

The construction of an underbridge at the top of the escarpment this year will enable a traffic switch from the existing A417 early in the new year, when drivers will be able to travel on a stretch of the new road in early 2026.

The Missing Link scheme, which is being made entirely out of the existing ground, will change the layout of a major commuter route, replacing the heavily congested single track of road near Birdlip.

Current engineering work on the slopes, carried out with safety ropes, is designed to prevent future weathering and create a more natural‑looking finish.

Two deep cuttings – 50 metres (164ft) wide and up to 19 metres (62ft) in height – are being excavated through the limestones to make way for a half-mile (0.8km) section of the road.

Alongside the work on slopes, National Highways is planting trees and hedges, and creating woodland and grasslands.

About 17,000 trees have been planted so far, with more planned this spring.

Following completion of the project, a five-year maintenance period will support the growth of trees and shrubs.

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