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RIF case study - traffic improvements to M5 junction
12 (Quedgeley)
Project summary
The Regional Infrastructure Fund has provided £500,000 to
fast-track much needed improvements to junction 12 of the M5, South
Gloucestershire, to improve access to the new Gloucester Quays
development and housing developments at Kingsway and Hunts
Grove.
Main messages
Junction 12 of the M5 is one of the most congested junctions on
the M5 and at peak times traffic regularly queues back down the
slip road onto the motorway
There has been considerable public and private investment in the
regeneration of central Gloucester and it is important that the
motorway links support this regeneration rather than hamper it
The £500,000 has come from the South West RDA’s Regional
Infrastructure Fund, which provides capital at the start of a
project so major infrastructure work can get underway. Most of the
funding for the road works is to come from the developers of these
sites but progress, and hence funding, on the sites has been held
up. So, the RIF funding has plugged the gap and enabled the
junction improvements to go ahead.
Facts and figures
- £500,000 from the Regional Infrastructure Fund
- Part of a £3 million traffic improvement scheme
- Gloucester Quays is the city’s £400 million new retail outlet
development.
The RDA is working in partnership with the developers of the
Gloucester Quays and Kingsway and Hunts Grove sites and with
Gloucestershire County Council.
Case study
Junction 12 of the M5, South Gloucestershire is one of the most
congested junctions on the M5 and traffic regularly queues back to
the motorway at peak times. The £500,000 funding will fast-track
the improvements to this junction. Improvements will involve
installing traffic lights to regulate traffic flow across the
junction and increase capacity by widening the slip roads. Two new
segregated lanes will also be created to cater for the heaviest
traffic movements on the northbound Gloucester approach and
exit.
Most of the funding for these road-works will come from the
developers of these sites and be collected by the County Council,
with the final payment tied to the start of Hunts Grove. Recent
economic conditions mean that progress on this development has been
held up so the Regional Infrastructure Fund has plugged the funding
gap to enable the junction improvements to go ahead.
The improvements will start in summer 2010 instead of having to
wait for funds from the developers which can take years. This will
ensure that people wanting to visit the new Gloucester Quays area,
and the rest of Gloucester, will have a smooth journey, encouraging
repeat trips.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund investment is repaid and then
recycled into other projects. Councils can borrow the money from
the fund, paying it back over time as the contributions from the
developers are received.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund is there to bring forward new
development that cannot proceed without upfront investment. Once
recouped the money in the fund can then be recycled into other
developments. The Fund is available to facilitate improvements in
highways, bus networks, schools and education provision as well as
health, community and leisure facilities.
Conclusion
The investment will improve traffic flow on one of the most
congested junctions on the M5 and in so doing will improve access
to the new Gloucester Quays retail outlet development providing a
real boost for businesses in this area.
Further information
Date case study written: March 2010
Theme: Regenerating the regions
Contact: South West RDA press office by email
news.enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk or telephone 01392 229389