A417 Road Closures & Diversions: The Missing Link Project Guide (2026)

Closures include:

• Thursday 15 January: Southbound overnight (9pm–6am)
• Friday 16 to Monday 19 January: Weekend closure
• Friday 30 January to Monday 2 February: Second weekend closure

The roadworks are designed to complete the dual carriageway between Brockworth and Cowley, eliminating the long-standing “Missing Link” that has caused delays, accidents, and pressure on local routes across Gloucestershire.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead, avoid relying on satnavs, and check live travel alerts before every journey. Diversion maps and updates are available from National Highways and the Traffic England website.

As one driver said this week:

“It’s a pain now, but we’ve needed this fix for years-especially at the Air Balloon roundabout.”

What Is Causing the A417 Road Closure and the So‑Called “Missing Link”?

The A417 road closure is directly linked to the long‑awaited A417 Missing Link project, one of the most significant road infrastructure schemes in South West England. This three‑mile stretch between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley Roundabout has long been known as a weak point on an otherwise dual carriageway route connecting Gloucester and Swindon.

For years, I’ve seen how congestion builds unpredictably along this section. The single‑lane layout, combined with steep gradients, poor visibility, and heavy traffic volumes, has made it accident‑prone and stressful for drivers.

The Missing Link scheme aims to eliminate these issues by creating a continuous, free‑flowing dual carriageway that is safer, more reliable, and better suited to modern traffic demands.

“This scheme isn’t just about reducing congestion, it’s about creating a safer, more resilient road that respects the Cotswolds landscape.”

What makes this project distinctive is its landscape‑led design. Rather than forcing a road through the Cotswolds National Landscape, planners have worked to integrate new infrastructure sensitively, including green bridges, extensive planting, and traditional Cotswold drystone walling.

Where Are the A417 Closures Happening and What Are the Key Affected Junctions?

The current A417 road closure locations are concentrated around known bottlenecks and construction zones. Understanding exactly where these are helps me plan journeys more realistically and avoid last‑minute stress.

Key Closure Points

• Between the A46 Brockworth junction and the Air Balloon roundabout
• Southbound stretches between the Air Balloon roundabout and The Highwayman Inn
• Areas surrounding Cowley Roundabout, where contraflow systems are in place

Notable Junctions Impacted

• Brockworth Junction
• Air Balloon Roundabout
• Shab Hill (future junction works)
• Cowley Roundabout

These areas are central to the Missing Link works, particularly where new junctions and offline road sections are being constructed. While much of the building work happens away from the existing carriageway, certain phases require overnight and weekend closures to keep workers and road users safe.

How Long Will the A417 Road Closures Last and What Is the Timeline?

While the A417 Missing Link scheme runs until Spring 2027, the most immediate concern for drivers is the confirmed January 2026 closure schedule.

According to the latest update dated 31 December 2025, National Highways has confirmed a series of overnight and weekend closures that may affect both local and long‑distance journeys.

Confirmed January- February 2026 A417 Closure Dates

These closures are planned outside weekday peak hours to reduce disruption. However, if you travel early in the morning or over weekends, your journey is likely to be affected.

What Are the Official Diversion Routes During the A417 Closures?

Whenever the A417 road closure is in place, fully signposted diversion routes will be active. I cannot stress enough how important it is to follow official diversion signs rather than satnav instructions, as navigation apps may not reflect real‑time closures accurately.

Southbound Diversion: Brockworth Junction to Air Balloon Roundabout

• Turn left towards Cheltenham onto A46 Shurdington Road
• Turn right towards Oxford onto A40 Thirlestaine Road
• Turn right towards Cirencester onto London Road
• Continue on A435 towards Cirencester
• Turn right at Seven Springs roundabout onto A436
• Continue towards Cirencester on A417
• Turn left to rejoin the A417

Northbound Diversion: Air Balloon Roundabout to Brockworth Junction

• Turn right at the Air Balloon roundabout onto A436
• Follow signs towards Seven Springs
• Continue on A435 towards Cheltenham
• Turn left onto A40
• Turn left onto A40 Old Bath Road
• Remain on A40, following the road right
• Turn left onto A46 Shurdington Road
• Take the third exit at Brockworth junction towards Gloucester

Air Balloon to Burford Road (Southbound Alternative)

• Follow A436 towards Stow‑on‑the‑Wold
• At Seven Springs roundabout, turn left then right onto A436 Oxford Road
• Turn right onto A40 towards Oxford
• Turn right onto A429 towards Cirencester

These routes are designed to handle higher traffic volumes, even if they feel longer than expected. Local roads are deliberately avoided to protect residential communities from excessive congestion.

How Do the A417 Roadworks Affect Local Communities and Traffic Flow?

The impact of the A417 road closure goes beyond drivers alone. Communities near Birdlip, Brockworth, and Cowley feel the effects daily, especially when traffic diverts during peak periods.

Congestion can spill onto surrounding routes, increasing noise and air pollution in villages not designed for heavy through‑traffic. Businesses dependent on reliable access also face challenges, particularly during weekend closures when visitor numbers fluctuate.

At the same time, there’s a long‑term benefit that many residents recognise. Once complete, the scheme will reduce rat‑running, improve safety, and restore a sense of normality to local roads. From my perspective, this short‑term disruption is a trade‑off for a far more reliable route in the future.

How Are Road Users Adapting to the A417 Closures?

Drivers, cyclists, and local businesses are all adapting in different ways to the ongoing A417 road closure.

Common adjustments I’ve noticed:

• Motorists allowing extra journey time, especially at weekends
• Commuters checking daily closure updates before travelling
• Cyclists and walkers preparing for future access routes created from repurposed sections of the old A417

The project includes converting parts of the existing road into paths for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, while retaining access for residents. This forward‑thinking approach means that adaptation isn’t just temporary, it’s part of a wider improvement in how the corridor is used.

How Are Updates on the A417 Closure Being Shared with the Public?

Staying informed has become essential for me, and fortunately, updates about the A417 road closure are widely available and regularly refreshed.

National Highways provides:

• Daily planned closure information
• Advance notice of full motorway and A‑road closures
• Twice‑daily weekday updates on traffic management changes

Live travel information is also available through Traffic England, offering real‑time alerts for incidents, delays, and last‑minute changes. Because closures can change at short notice, checking updates before setting off has become part of my routine.

What Should Drivers Keep in Mind During A417 Weekend and Overnight Closures?

Driving during a scheduled A417 road closure requires a slightly different mindset. I’ve found that preparation makes all the difference.

While closures can be frustrating, they are carefully planned to balance construction progress with road user safety.

Conclusion

The A417 road closure is part of a major, long‑term investment designed to fix a well‑known bottleneck. Although closures and diversions are disruptive, they are phased, signposted, and supported by regular updates. In the long run, the Missing Link scheme promises safer journeys, reduced congestion, and improved connectivity across the South West.

From my perspective, the A417 road closure is inconvenient but necessary. I remind myself that each overnight or weekend restriction brings us closer to a safer, free‑flowing route through the Cotswolds.

By checking updates, following diversions, and planning ahead, I can manage the disruption far more effectively. Ultimately, this project represents progress, one that should make journeys smoother and safer for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the A417 still be usable during weekday peak hours?

In most cases, yes. The majority of full closures are scheduled overnight or over weekends to reduce weekday disruption.

Is the A417 Missing Link replacing the Air Balloon roundabout entirely?

Yes, the existing roundabout is being replaced with new junctions designed to remove this long‑standing bottleneck.

How reliable are diversion routes during bad weather?

Diversion routes are chosen for their capacity and resilience, but adverse weather can still increase journey times.

Are emergency services affected by the A417 closures?

Emergency services are consulted during planning, and routes are managed to maintain response access at all times.

Will noise levels increase during overnight works?

Some noise is unavoidable, but mitigation measures are in place to minimise disturbance to nearby residents.

Can cyclists use the A417 during construction?

Cyclists are advised to avoid the area during closures, though future plans include dedicated non‑motorised routes.

When will drivers see the biggest improvement in traffic flow?

The most noticeable improvements are expected once the new dual carriageway opens in Spring 2027.

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Will the A417 still be usable during weekday peak hours?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes. Most full closures are planned overnight or at weekends to minimise disruption during weekday peak travel times.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Is the A417 Missing Link replacing the Air Balloon roundabout entirely?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Yes. The Air Balloon roundabout is being removed and replaced with new junctions designed to eliminate the long-standing traffic bottleneck.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How reliable are diversion routes during bad weather?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Diversion routes are selected for their capacity and resilience, but severe weather conditions can still cause delays and longer journey times.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Are emergency services affected by the A417 closures?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Emergency services are fully consulted during planning. Traffic management is designed to ensure emergency response access is maintained at all times.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Will noise levels increase during overnight works?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Some increase in noise is unavoidable during overnight construction, but mitigation measures are in place to minimise disruption to nearby residents.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Can cyclists use the A417 during construction?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Cyclists are advised to avoid the A417 during major closures. The completed project will include dedicated routes for non-motorised users.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When will drivers see the biggest improvement in traffic flow?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The most significant improvements are expected once the new dual carriageway opens currently planned for Spring 2027.”
}
}
]
}

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@graph”: [
{
“@type”: “NewsArticle”,
“@id”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/a417-road-closure#newsarticle”,
“mainEntityOfPage”: {
“@type”: “WebPage”,
“@id”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/a417-road-closure”
},
“headline”: “A417 Road Closure Updates – What UK Motorists Need to Know?”,
“description”: “A417 road closure plans are rolling out across key junctions. Explore the latest updates, diversions, and why this route is finally getting an upgrade.”,
“image”: {
“@type”: “ImageObject”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Preston-Blog-Logo.png”,
“width”: 1536,
“height”: 838
},
“datePublished”: “2026-01-20”,
“dateModified”: “2026-01-20”,
“articleSection”: “News”,
“keywords”: [
“A417 road closure”,
“A417 Missing Link”,
“Air Balloon roundabout”,
“Brockworth junction”,
“Traffic England”,
“National Highways”,
“Gloucestershire roadworks”,
“diversion routes”,
“weekend closures”,
“overnight closures”
],
“about”: [
{ “@type”: “Thing”, “name”: “A417” },
{ “@type”: “Thing”, “name”: “A417 Missing Link project” },
{ “@type”: “Place”, “name”: “Gloucestershire” },
{ “@type”: “Place”, “name”: “Cotswolds National Landscape” }
],
“mentions”: [
{ “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “National Highways” },
{ “@type”: “WebSite”, “name”: “Traffic England” }
],
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Jasmine”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/author/jasmine/”
},
“publisher”: {
“@type”: “Organization”,
“name”: “Preston Blog”,
“logo”: {
“@type”: “ImageObject”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/”,
“width”: 600,
“height”: 60
}
},
“dateline”: “Gloucestershire, UK”,
“isAccessibleForFree”: true,
“citation”: [
“National Highways”,
“Traffic England”
]
}
]
}

{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “BlogPosting”,
“mainEntityOfPage”: {
“@type”: “WebPage”,
“@id”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/a417-road-closure/”
},
“headline”: “A417 Road Closure Updates – What UK Motorists Need to Know?”,
“description”: “A417 road closure plans are rolling out across key junctions. Explore the latest updates, diversions, and why this route is finally getting an upgrade.”,
“image”: {
“@type”: “ImageObject”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Preston-Blog-Logo.png”,
“width”: 1536,
“height”: 838
},
“author”: {
“@type”: “Person”,
“name”: “Jasmine”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/author/jasmine/”
},
“publisher”: {
“@type”: “Organization”,
“name”: “Preston Blog”,
“logo”: {
“@type”: “ImageObject”,
“url”: “https://www.prestonblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Preston-Blog-Logo.png”,
“width”: 600,
“height”: 60
}
},
“datePublished”: “2026-01-20”,
“dateModified”: “2026-01-20”,
“articleSection”: “News”,
“keywords”: [
“A417 road closure”,
“A417 Missing Link project”,
“A417 weekend closures”,
“A417 overnight closures”,
“National Highways A417”,
“Gloucestershire roadworks”,
“UK road closure updates”,
“Traffic England A417”
],
“wordCount”: 1576,
“isAccessibleForFree”: true
}