Construction of the major upgrade to Junction 10 of the M5 in Cheltenham has been granted final approval by Gloucestershire County Council, this June 2026.
The council's cabinet voted to commission the main works phase of the 'transformative' scheme at a meeting this week, meaning construction can begin later this year.
Scheduled for completion in spring 2029, the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme will provide access in all directions on and off the motorway to the north west of Cheltenham, along with a new link road connecting the A4019 to the B4634 and the widening of the A4019 Tewkesbury Road.
The council says the project will enable the delivery of over 20,000 new homes, including the 4,115-home Elms Park development, and support Cheltenham's 拢1 billion Golden Valley development, which will see around 12,000 skilled jobs created for local people.
The scheme was initially estimated to cost 拢253 million in 2020, but, with inflation, design changes and extended project timelines cited, councillors approved a new budget of 拢407 million 鈥� a 拢44 million increase on the previous estimate 鈥� at this week's meeting, according to local democracy reporter Carmelo Garcia.
That budget also includes costs for Arle Court Transport Hub and A38/A4019 junction improvements at Coombe Hill, with the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme costing 拢372 million in total.
The increase to the overall budget will be funded by an extra 拢1.5 million housing infrastructure investment funding, 拢10 million additional approved community infrastructure funding and 拢32.5 million of future developer contributions.
Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member for business, economic development, planning and infrastructure, said: 'The M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme is a transformational project for Gloucestershire.
'Reaching this stage reflects years of work to secure funding, consent and a deliverable plan. It also brings us another step closer to starting the main construction works that will unlock long鈥憈erm benefits for the county.
'The council has been highly successful in securing external investment for the scheme. Most of the funding needed has come from UK Government, along with CIL funding and developer contributions that are linked to growth that the scheme will unlock.
'This means the scheme can be delivered with little or no impact on funding for day-to-day council services. This investment will unlock new homes, jobs and economic opportunities for the county, while improving our transport network and supporting long-term growth.'
