TRANSPORT secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the so-called ‘missing link’ earlier this month to discuss proposals for the A417 loop.

The missing link is a 5km stretch of single carriageway on the busy A417.

With more than 34,000 vehicles a day, it is a significant bottleneck and has the worst average vehicle delay of all main routes in the south west.

Mr McLoughlin was joined on Crickley Hill by Laurence Robertson MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Gloucestershire County Council’s chief executive Peter Bungard and Councillor Will Windsor-Clive Cabinet member for planning and infrastructure for a tour of the area and to discuss the proposed loop.

In April the ‘missing link’ was added to a Highways Agency list of roads in the south west that need major improvements.

Almost 5700 people and businesses have already signed up to show their support for the A417 loop, and with central government making their funding decision next year the council is calling for even more people to show their support while there is still time.

Cllr Will Windsor-Clive said, “Getting this dangerous and congested stretch of road upgraded is Gloucestershire County Council’s number one transport priority.

Pledge your support for the A417 loop at www.a417missinglink.co.uk or email us at info@a417missinglink.co.uk.