AFTER years of traffic woes for drivers in Yate and Chipping Sodbury, the Gazette and MP Luke Hall have teamed up to launch a campaign for a new M4 junction.


Mr Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate, has long been calling for a Junction 18a which would connect the M4 with the Avon Ring Road (A4174), near the Lyde Green roundabout for Westerleigh and Emersons Green.


Studies have shown that this “M4 Link” would slash journey times for thousands of commuters, reduce traffic in towns and villages and make the area more enticing for new businesses.


On July 7, Mr Hall spoke in Parliament about the benefits of the scheme and explained that roughly £50 million is needed from the government to create the link.


Now the Gazette has launched a petition which he will hand to the government.


Mr Hall said: “Emersons Green’s residential and commercial population has increased over recent years and there are currently severe pressures on local roads.


“The 2,500 homes planned at Lyde Green and the houses being built in Yate will lead to a further increase in traffic and more pressure on an already strained local infrastructure and on the villages.


“Part of the solution is the construction of Junction 18a, giving motorists an effective and quick route to the M4, and creating new capacity to absorb the traffic which will be created by the new housing developments and growing businesses of the area.


“While there would still be a large amount of commuters using the same stretch of road, the pressure on the A4174 would be greatly relieved by the proposed junction.”


Drivers in Yate and Sodbury said they would welcome the move.


Yate resident Steve Ryder, 49, who drives to Bristol to work as a site manager, said: “I think the link is a great idea. It could save lots of time and avoid traffic jams.”


Mr Hall added: “About 12,000 people commute out of Yate and Chipping Sodbury for work, mostly to Bristol.


“This proposal will provide us with the additional capacity for entry into Bristol for commerce, connecting new businesses and encouraging trade in the region, helping to reduce unemployment and create more skilled jobs.”


An independent study on the benefits of a Junction 18a is being carried out and will be launched at the House of Commons on September 16, with ministers, MPs, councillors, business leaders, and local residents there.


Andrew Jones, a minister in the Department for Transport, will also meet with Mr Hall and Chris Skidmore, MP for Kingswood, so they can highlight the benefits of the scheme.


South Gloucestershire Council has agreed to fund an £80,000 feasibility study for the project.


To view and sign the Gazette petition, go to http://chn.ge/1OwON1Z