Plans for 'ghost' M49 motorway junction to be given life

A "ghost" junction which has lain dormant since being built is set to be connected to the main roadway.

National Highways spent over £40m in 2020 to build the roundabout above the M49 motorway between Severn Beach and Chittening, intended to be Junction 1.

South Gloucestershire Council is expected to grant planning permission for a 160m (525ft) link road next week.

A report to the planning committee said that the road was never completed due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Plans for the link road were submitted earlier this year and £7m of funding secured from the Department for Transport.

South Gloucestershire Council cabinet also approved the use of compulsory purchase orders to secure the necessary land, which had a variety of owners and could not be acquired through negotiation.

The planning application will go before the strategic sites delivery committee on 23 November, where officers are recommending approval.

A report to the committee said that Amazon, Tesco, Royal Mail and other companies had large facilities nearby that could benefit from the opened junction.The report said this would ease pressure from HGVs and other traffic using the A403.The link road is expected to take 12 months to complete.

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