MAJOR resurfacing works on the M5 in Gloucestershire planned for 2018/19 have been brought forward to start early next year.

The work, set to take place on a seven-mile section of the motorway at Gloucester between junction 11A and junction 12, will be taking place a full 12 to 18 months earlier than originally planned.

Highways England have said they will also be using quieter materials, following consultation with the community and other stakeholders to identify a solution to alleviate a longstanding noise issue around Upton St Leonards and Hucclecote.

Rob Llewellyn, Highways England’s asset development manager for the south west, said: “Safety is our top priority, we identified junction M5 J11A-J12 among our list of properties in the south west and we are pleased funding has now become available to deliver this scheme earlier than anticipated.

“Highways England is committed to a quieter network, the need for noise mitigation is a standard consideration in all of our schemes, and this scheme should also help to address a noise issue.

“Having worked closely with local communities and stakeholders, we are pleased to announce an earlier start to this programme of work which will not only bring benefits to road users but also to local residents who live alongside the M5.”

The latest resurfacing work continues Highways England’s investment in Gloucestershire roads with a £28 million programme of bridge work currently being carried out on the M5 between junctions 10 and 13. 

The work will ensure the safety and reliability of the bridges for many years to come, and included in the programme is a full bridge deck refurbishment and waterproofing at the Cheltenham Gloucester Road underbridge, along with bridge joint replacements and central reservation barrier work.

At Bamfurlong Lane Bridge and Golden Valley North and South Bridges, the bridge piers and foundations have been weakened by Thaumasite Sulphate attack – known as “concrete cancer” – and are being replaced.

The junction 13 work is due to be completed early next year and the junction 11 work is scheduled to be completed in late summer 2017.