More than 40k trees planted at major road project

More than 42,000 trees have been planted as part of a major road project in the Cotswolds.

The A417 Missing Link road scheme in Gloucestershire began in 2023, and vegetation was initially removed as construction got under way but is now being replaced and expanded.

The £460m project is turning the road from the Brockworth bypass, through the Air Balloon roundabout and to the former Cowley roundabout into a dual carriageway.

Green crossings and Cotswold stone walls built with wildlife in mind have been erected, and Natasha James, senior ecologist for developers Kier, said there are still another 80,000 trees to plant.

James said the planting of the trees and shrubs to replace what had been lost began in the autumn, with grasslands also being created.

"This scheme has worked really, really hard to ensure there are these really safe crossing points for people but also for the wildlife," she said.

"A lot of those stone walls were built to funnel wildlife across those green crossings we've created."

James said about 42,000 trees have been planted, with another 80,000 to go.

Oaks, holly, field Maple, hawthorn and yew - all native varieties - are among the trees and shrubs being planted.

The Gloucestershire Way crossing is 730 metres (2,395ft) wide and, although it will mostly be for animals, there will be a small path for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders to use.

Although there have been issues with new trees dying at other new road schemes elsewhere in the UK, there are protections in place at the Missing Link.

To ensure the survival of trees, National Highways has introduced a standard five-year maintenance period for all new Development Consent Order approved schemes, including trees and vegetation.

In terms of the road, progress on the project is "going well", said Céline Acard, National Highways' senior project manager for the A417.

"We're very proud of the progress made so far and the teams have been working hard to make sure we will be opening a section of the new road later this year," she said.

"When we'll be able to walk on [the re-purposed A417], when you won't see any cars and when you will be safe to walk from Crickley Hill Country Park up to the Cowley Junction.

"That will be an amazing milestone."