MP for Thornbury and Yate Luke Hall has written to the Secretary of State for Transport for support in campaigning for a new junction on the M4.


Mr Hall, and MP for Kingswood Chris Skidmore, who have both been part of the Gateway 2 Growth campaign for the new junction 18a on the M4, have joined forces to request a meeting the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin, to present the case and evidence for the proposal.


The pair wish to meet the Secretary of State for Transport and officials at the Department for Transport to discuss the new junction, which would be located near the Westerleigh roundabout, linking with the Avon Ring Road at Emersons Green.


Mr Hall said: “With more homes being built in the area and more pressure being put on our local infrastructure, junction 18a would help cater with the increasing volume of traffic and unlock the economic potential of Yate and the surrounding areas.


“I was pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Transport to the proposed site earlier this year and will be working with him to move this forward as quickly as possible.”


Mr Skidmore said: “The case for a M4 link has now never been stronger- the development of Lyde Green and the designation of Emersons Green as an enterprise zone makes the link road a vital piece of infrastructure that we need for our local area.


The campaign for a M4 link at junction 18a has been backed by key local businesses including the Bristol and Bath Science Park, with thousands of residents, who recognise its importance for economic growth in the Bristol area.


The new junction would also aim to ensure that thousands of commuters daily would not be stuck in traffic attempting to reach the M4 via the M32.