The old A417 between Cowley junction and the existing B4070 is closed this weekend while National Highways works on the A417 Missing Link scheme. Drivers heading to Birdlip need to use the signed diversion, and a lane closure with temporary traffic lights starts on the B4070 on Monday.
Weekend closure: 13 to 16 November
- The old A417 is closed from 11pm on Friday 13 November until 6am on Monday 16 November.
- There is no access to Birdlip via the old A417 at Cowley junction for the weekend.
- Drivers coming from Cirencester, Elkstone and Brimpsfield should head north on the A417 towards the A46 Brockworth junction, then continue to Birdlip.
- A second weekend closure is planned from 11pm on Friday 27 November to 6am on Monday 30 November.
Lane closure on the B4070 from 16 November
From Monday 16 November, there is a lane closure on the B4070 from Birdlip towards the junction with the existing B4070 and the old A417. Temporary traffic lights control the traffic. The closure is due to last about two weeks.
National Highways is carrying out surfacing, drainage and vegetation clearance during these works. The aim is to switch traffic over to the new B4070 in December 2026.
What happens next
Once the new B4070 opens, the old A417 will be permanently closed between Stockwell Lane and the former B4070. Traffic heading towards Birdlip will then be directed along the new B4070 from Shab Hill junction.
This follows a week of overnight closures on the A436 at Ullenwood roundabout, which ran from 9pm to 6am each night from Monday 9 to Friday 13 November.
Practical information
Dates can change at short notice, so check before you set off. National Highways says emergency services will have access throughout the closures. Follow the signed diversion route rather than your satnav.
The National Highways project page has the diversion maps and the latest dates: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/roads-and-travel/road-projects/south-west/a417-missing-link/ . For live closures on all National Highways roads, use its daily road closure report: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/road-closure-report/
