South Gloucestershire Council is preparing to unveil plans for the new M49 junction link road following its decision last year to step in and complete this regionally important infrastructure project.
A community engagement session will give the public the opportunity to see the designs for the new link road, which will create direct access from the Severnside industrial and enterprise area to the motorway network.
Residents, business leaders and community leaders are invited along to listen to a presentation and to find out more about the planning application, which is expected to be submitted in December.
It will also be a chance for the public to meet the project manager, who will be on hand to answer any questions, and to talk through the project programme including the next steps.
The council is working closely with stakeholders to progress the new link road to the west of the M49 junction as quickly as possible.
It is a key, strategic transport project which will unlock significant benefits to South Gloucestershire, local communities, and the wider region.
The link road will help build upon the economic potential of the area, relieve congestion on the local highway network and improve road safety.
Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member with responsibility for planning and transport, said: “Following our decision last year to take on a new role to accelerate completion of this scheme, we are now close to submitting the planning application, so we want to give the public the chance to comment on the designs.
“It’s important to us to engage with the public as they are very much part of our vision. We want to share with them what is happening and what the next steps will be.
“We are moving forward with plans, and we remain committed to ensuring that the new link road is completed, linking the new M49 junction to the Enterprise Zone and unlocking the potential for further economic benefit.”
The scheme is technically complex and the best engineering solutions need to be determined. However, the intention is to deliver the scheme in the shortest reasonable timescales, whilst keeping the community and stakeholders updated as the project progresses.
Once the planning application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority, there will then be a period of public consultation where feedback will be sought.
Construction could start in 2023 and the new link road would be opened as soon as possible following completion of the work.
As well as building the link road, improvements will also be made to an adjacent National Cycle Network Route.
South Gloucestershire Council is inviting residents to the informal M49 link road drop-in session on:
• Thursday 17 November between 4pm and 8pm at Pilning Village Hall, Cross Hands Road, Pilning, BS35 4JB. No appointments are necessary. The presentation will be repeated throughout the session.
For more information and to keep up-to-date with the latest developments, visit: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/m49-link-road/
Questions for the project team can be emailed to: M49linkroad@southglos.gov.uk
