Another significant accident on the A417 this month has prompted a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport for support to build the Loop.
Gloucestershire County Council’s Deputy Leader Ray Theodoulou has written to the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, troche Secretary of State for Transport, raising the recent crash, which shut the road for nine hours and asked for support when funding decisions are made by central government next year.
The letter asks the Secretary of State to consider the plight of those using the 5km stretch of the A417 near Nettleton Bottom, and explains the need for the A417 Loop solution.
In his letter Cllr Theodoulou said, “On 10th September there was another serious collision on the A417, this time involving a car and a skip vehicle. Not only did that result in the driver of the car being airlifted to hospital, but it also closed the road from 10am until 7pm – causing travel chaos for miles around.
He continued, “This is happening far too often and it is important this stretch of road is improved and the crashes and congestion are brought to an end.”
The Transport Secretary is already aware of the issue following his visit to Crickley Hill in July where he saw the extent of the problem and the proposal for the A417 Loop solution.
The missing link has also been added to a Highways Agency list of roads in the south west that need major improvements because of capacity, safety and environmental issues.
Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Deputy Leader said, “With another significant accident on the A417 this month, it further emphasises the need for funding to build the A417 Loop. I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Transport because he should be aware how badly the ‘missing link’ is affecting commuters and businesses.”
“Gloucestershire County Council will keep campaigning to get this problem fixed. So far more than 6200 people and businesses have backed the Loop by pledging their support. I’d like to ask anyone who hasn’t shown their support already to do so at www.a417missinglink.co.uk and to invite at least five more people to do the same.”