Busy A-road to shut for three months for new cycle path to be built (2025)

The final phase of construction on the A435 Cycleway route, which will link Bishop's Cleeve with Cheltenham, is set to begin next month. Work will start on Monday, May 19 and will be finished by the end of January 2026.

As part of the works, there will be a full road closure in both directions for three months from Monday, June 2 to Monday, September 8 2025 between the Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout and the Hyde Lane / Southam Lane junction. There will then be the closure of the northbound carriageway only from Monday, September 8 to Friday, October 31 2025

Gloucestershire County Council says the initiative promises substantial enhancements for cyclists and pedestrians along the A435 Evesham Road. It will offer complete access to the 26-mile Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, stretching between Bishop's Cleeve, Cheltenham, and Gloucester, and eventually extending to Stroud.

Moreover, as part of this concluding phase, crucial repairs will be undertaken on the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) bridge. This follows a recent inspection that identified certain defects, necessitating action to ensure its long-term stability.

The work involves fortifying the structure, reconstructing the carriageway, and repositioning the road to include a new shared-use path for walkers and cyclists, the county council says. It adds that ny synchronising various tasks such as the bridge repair and reinforcement, along with two stages of the cycleway construction during the closure, the work can be executed more efficiently, thereby minimising disruption to the local community.

The full road closure also provides the necessary workspace, prevents damage to the bridge structure, and safeguards the wellbeing of construction workers and the public, it said.

Section 1 of the cycle scheme, between the Honeybourne Line and Cheltenham Racecourse roundabout, was successfully completed at the end of 2024. The first phase of Section 2, between the GWSR Bridge and the GE roundabout in Bishop's Cleeve, began in early January 2025, is progressing well and is expected to finish in autumn 2025.

Contractors Montel Civil Engineering Ltd have been awarded the contract to build the final section of the A435 Cycleway, from Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout to the GWSR bridge, and to undertake the essential bridge repairs at the same time. Work is due to start on Monday 19 May 2025, and is expected to be finished by the end of January 2026.

With a contractor now in place, the programme and dates for the A435 road closure between Cheltenham Racecourse Roundabout and the Hyde Lane / Southam Lane junction have been finalised.

Road closures for bridge repairs and cycleway construction dates

• Full road closure in both directions: from 2 June to 8 September 2025
• Northbound closure only (with southbound open): from 8 September to 31 October 2025

During the full road closure and northbound closure periods, clearly signed diversion routes will be in place to guide road users safely around the works. Road users are advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow the diversion signs carefully.

Ahead of the closure, a meet the contractor event will be held on Thursday. May 8 2025 between 10am and 7pm at Cheltenham Tigers Rugby Club in Southam Lane, Southam, Cheltenham GL52 3PE.

This will provide an opportunity to learn more about the construction work, meet the project teams and ask any questions related to construction activities

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