The cost of upgrading junction 10 of the M5 motorway near Cheltenham has surged from an initial estimate of around £250 million six years ago to over £400 million in 2026. Gloucestershire County Council leaders have approved commissioning the principal works for a new junction that will provide full access in all directions on and off the motorway.
Project Scope and Benefits
The scheme includes widening the A4019 Tewkesbury Road, along with new cycle paths and walkways. It is considered crucial for unlocking land for 20,000 homes and supporting 12,000 new jobs at Cheltenham's Golden Valley Development. The project also encompasses improvements at the nearby Coombe Hill junction and the Arle Court Transport Hub.
Budget Breakdown
A report presented to cabinet members on Wednesday (June 10) revealed a revised budget increase of £44 million, bringing the total to £407 million. Funding will come from an additional £1.5 million housing infrastructure investment, £10 million in further community infrastructure funding, and £32.5 million in future developer contributions. The original cost estimate in 2020 was approximately £253 million, but inflation, design changes, and extended timelines have driven the increase.
Political Reactions
Liberal Democrat Councillor Julian Tooke, cabinet member for infrastructure, emphasized the junction's importance for the Golden Valley development and the National Cyber Innovation Centre. He described it as an "all-movements junction" that would unlock 20,000 homes and 12,000 jobs. "We've done the enabling works. We want to move onto the next stage of the project. Speed is important because we really want to deliver this to schedule in Spring 2029," he said. Tooke stressed that no additional funding was being sought, but bridging funding from Gloucestershire's infrastructure investment fund would be necessary while awaiting capital funding and developer contributions.
Criticism from Opposition
The rising budget has drawn sharp criticism from Reform UK councillors, who lead the opposition. They previously raised concerns about the £166,000 cost for bat houses, a legal requirement. Reform group leader Vernon Smith said: "The current Liberal Democrat administration continues to demonstrate an inability to manage large-scale infrastructure projects competently. Under Reform, we would be pursuing significant cuts, not reckless spending on schemes like bat houses. We would deliver proper social housing within a reasonable budget."
