The northbound entry and southbound exit slip roads at M5 junction 10, near Cheltenham, are due to close from early 2027 for around two years. The M5 itself stays open, but drivers will not be able to join northbound or leave southbound at junction 10 while the slip roads are shut.
What is changing
Junction 10 is being rebuilt as an all-movements junction, so drivers will be able to join and leave the motorway in all directions for the first time. The slip roads have to close for the most complex part of the work, which Gloucestershire County Council says is the safest and quickest way to do it.
Withybridge Lane, which links Tewkesbury Road and the Old Gloucester Road, will also be closed during this period.
The council says the closures are expected to last around two years. The exact length is still being reviewed. The new junction is due to open in 2029.
Why the work is happening
The scheme is expected to cost £372 million. The council says it will support more than 20,000 new homes, including over 7,000 affordable homes, and help the Golden Valley development and the National Cyber Innovation Centre.
The road works also include widening the A4019 Tewkesbury Road and building a new link road between the A4019 and the B4634 in west Cheltenham. The A4019 will stay open, with temporary traffic lights at certain times.
Concerns from local businesses
Some businesses near the junction say the closure is too long. One firm said it will make deliveries and customer visits harder. The council accepts that the closure will be difficult for people who use the junction and nearby roads.
Public information events
The council is holding drop-in events where people can see the plans, speak to the project team and ask about diversion routes. The dates still to come are:
- Tuesday 17 November, 10am to 2pm: Hesters Way Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham
- Wednesday 18 November, 3pm to 7pm: The Watson Hall, Tewkesbury
- Thursday 26 November, 2pm to 7pm: Stoke Orchard Community Centre
Before you travel
Diversion routes have not been finalised. The council is looking at whether drivers may use unsuitable local roads to avoid the closure, and more detail will be shared as the plans are confirmed.
For the latest updates, and to sign up for alerts as the project moves on, see the council’s scheme page: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/major-projects-list/m5-junction-10-improvements-scheme/slip-road-closures/ .
