£3.9m investment into Cross Keys roundabout following funding win

Gloucestershire County Council has been awarded £2.7 million funding from central government for the much needed improvements to the Cross Keys roundabout at the junction of the A38 and B4008.

This investment, which was announced earlier today by the Department of Transport, will be provided through the National Productivity Investment Fund. Some of the works it will support include new traffic lights on the A38, widening the approach lanes of the roundabout and enhancing conditions for buses and cyclists.

The awarded money will go a long way in supporting the scheme that, in total, will cost £3.851m. The remaining money will be made up of section 106 funding, developer contributions and the county’s highways budget. The junction is strategically important for Gloucestershire and these improvements will mean more vehicles can use it.

The roundabout is on the A38 junction, 800m north of junction 12 of the M5 motorway. It links directly to Gloucester for vehicles approaching from the motorway and from the A38. When campaigning for the funding, the county council was greatly supported by Highways England.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “The investment from government is great news and will help make a massive difference to the A38 Crosskeys roundabout – one of the crucial gateways to Gloucester.  It will help us to upgrade the road, cut congestion, and make it safer for all users.

“Alongside our £150m investment into road roads, and the campaign to upgrade other vital areas like the A417 Missing Link, this is part of a package of improvements that will make a massive difference to roads across our county.”

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk