Fears M5 project could be shelved to fund defence

Council chiefs fear a planned new motorway junction could be "sacrificed" in the government's proposal to reallocate funds to defence.

Gloucestershire County Council wants to build a new M5 junction to the south of Tewkesbury to help solve long-standing issues and unlock plans for 25,000 homes.

However on 29 June Prime Minister Keir Starmer said a £15bn rise in military spending would come from cutting investment budgets in other areas - including £700m in savings from roads projects.

County councillor Julian Tooke, who leads on infrastructure on the council, said: "We are very concerned that Gloucestershire's need for improvements to junction 9 of the M5 and the A46 may get sacrificed."

The Department for Transport (DfT) said it will not comment on funding prospects for junction 9 at this stage, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

In 2024, the works were estimated to cost up to £930m, and funding was approved to develop a £13m business case for the project.

The new junction, which would be called 9a, would also see a section of the A46, between the M5 and the Teddington Hands roundabout, re-routed.

The council wants to build the junction to help with the creation of up to 25,000 homes at Tewkesbury Garden Communities, including 10,000 homes at Ashchurch.

The LDRS said councillors are calling for a funding commitment from ministers for the major road project.

Tooke added: "The government has been very clear in its expectation that councils enable the building of more homes and has set ambitious targets.

"Housing has to come with improved infrastructure."

Councillor Vernon Smith, who represents a ward in Tewkesbury, said it would be a "betrayal" of Ashchurch and "the whole of Gloucestershire" if the scheme does not get government funding.

"Residents in Ashchurch have put up with gridlock, HGVs thundering past their front doors and unreliable journeys for more than 30 years.

"You cannot fund the nation's defence by leaving our county's most important road scheme to rot."

The extra £15bn in spending was confirmed by the government to take place over the next four years.

The DfT's proposed £700m savings from its roads funding includes the A38 Derby junctions and A46 Newark bypass scheme being considered for cancellation.

The government said it remains committed to protecting funding for local authorities to mend potholes and repair their roads, protecting investment in rail infrastructure and the proposals will not impact bus or rail services.

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