Montel Civil Engineering has been engaged by Gloucestershire County Council as Principal Contractor to undertake the next section of the B4063 Gloucester to Cheltenham Cycle Improvements Scheme. These works will be undertaken between the Brickhampton Golf Course and the M5 Overbridge at Staverton. This section of the scheme will include a fully segregated two-way cycleway and footways in locations with a higher population density, and a ’shared use path’ for cyclists and pedestrians in rural sections where space is limited. This project offers the community a safe, clean and healthier travel option by bringing the active travel benefits into the neighbourhood by extending the cycleway network and improving footways within the area. This section will include:
- Fully segregated two-way cycleway, with widths ranging between 2-3 metres.
- Create a safe physical gap between cyclists and motorists.
- Provide larger pedestrian footways with widths between 1.5-3 metres.
- Safe priority cycle path crossing at major road junctions.
- New cycle and pedestrian crossings at multiple locations.
To find out more about this scheme, and for up-to-date information about the project visit or up-to-date information about the project, please visit Gloucestershire County Council’s website at: Section 2 and 3 – Elmbridge Court to M5 overbridge – Highways (gloucestershire.gov.uk) where you can also sign up to receive regular updates and newsletters via email.
Montel are committed to keeping the local community informed with up-to-date information about the progress of the works, and of any activities that may impact the community while we are undertaking this project. This will be undertaken via regular newsletters and by updating our website and social media outlets with information about the progress of the works. We will also be using these outlets to communicate any unscheduled changes to the programme that may impact the community. We encourage the community to get touch with questions about this scheme.
Why are the work happening?
Gloucestershire County Council have a commitment to provide the community safe, clean and healthier travel options. Part of this commitment has been to improve and expand on the current footpath and cycleways. Montel will be undertaking these improvements on the section of the B4063 between Brickhampton Golf Course and the M5 Overbridge at Staverton.
What will Montel be constructing?
The section of the scheme Montel will be working on will include the installation of a fully segregated two-way cycleway and footpath within the areas of works with a higher population density, while a ’shared use path’ for cyclists and pedestrians will be constructed in rural sections where space is limited.
How does this benefit the community?
The works will create wider cycleways and footpaths, ranging between 1.5 metres and 3 metres, creating a safe physical gap between cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Safe priority cycle path crossings will be introduced at major road junctions, while new cycle and pedestrian crossings will also be introduced.
When will work start and when is completion expected?
Montel will take possession of the site compound on the 19th of September 2022 and begin works during that week, completion is due late 2023/early 2024.
The closed bridges have impacted travel times, will this make it worse?
Montel have a traffic management strategy in place to minimise the impact on the roads. This includes undertaking the project in a total of 11 individual phases, with approximately 1km between them. This is to reduce waiting times on the roads where the works are being undertaken. Our experienced on site management team will endeavour to minimise any impact our works will have on the roads for the wider community, there may be occasions where planned works are expected to increase traffic, should time allow, these disruptions will be communicated to the local community by our Public Liaison Officer.
How will you avoid creating excessive noise/pollution/dust and mud during construction?
Whilst our modern fleet of plant is fitted with effective exhaust silencers, it will be operated in such a manner as to minimise noise and carbon emissions. Acoustic barriers will also be used as necessary and regular noise monitoring will be undertaken as required. Our strategy for reducing the production of dust is to eliminate cutting in the first place via the procurement of materials manufactured to the correct sizes, but, there will be activities where dust is unavoidable, these operations will be strictly controlled, and appropriate water-suppression measures put in place prior to commencement. Road sweepers will be used to suppress dust via damping-down the access roads to site, these road-sweepers will be constantly available to ensure the cleanliness of the existing roads are maintained.
Who do we talk to if we have concerns or questions?
At Montel we have a dedicated Community Relations team to assist local residents with any queries and concerns on all projects we undertake. For this project the point of contact will be Suzanne Wright, who can be contacted at:
Suzanne.Wright@montel-group.com
In addition to writing directly to local residents and business to keep them informed on the progress of the works, a dedicated project webpage and our Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook pages will also offer regular updates of the project, including, progress reports, images and information on possible disruption to roads.
