South Gloucestershire Council say they have taken an 'important step' in their efforts to complete the £50million M49 junction link road. According to the council, the 'next steps' are now being taken to complete the dead-end motorway roundabout near Avonmouth.
Bristol Live has previously reported Metro Mayor Dan Norris' claim that the route remains 'two years away' from opening five years after it was built. But a statement released by the council today (June 7) says: "Since taking the lead on the key strategic transport project last year the council has been working to progress the new link road as quickly as possible."
It says that the next steps the council intends to take include obtaining privately owned land, progressing the design of the new road and obtaining planning permission and other necessary consents. The statement also says that final road designs should be completed 'later this year'.
Read more: £50m M49 dead-end junction 'still two years from opening'
The council’s cabinet will reportedly discuss the development and submission of a planning application at its meeting in six days on Monday, June 13. However, the council says it is currently not able to put a timeframe on the work.
Their statement says: "The council is not yet able to confirm a programme of work at present, as the scheme is technically complex and the best engineering solutions need to be determined. However, the intention is to deliver the scheme in the shortest reasonable timescales, whilst keeping the community and stakeholders updated as the project progresses."
Councillor Steve Reade, cabinet member with responsibility for planning and transport, said: “We made an important decision last year to play a more active role in the delivery of the M49 junction link road and we are pleased to announce that we are making such an important step. The submission of the planning application later this year will help us move forward with the plan to deliver the link road and to make sure that the benefits of this new motorway junction are finally delivered as quickly as possible.
“By taking over as lead on this project and working closely with project partners we are able to maintain progress to get the job done. We will be engaging with the public and will continue to keep stakeholders aware of progress.”
To follow the latest development's on the council's website, you can click here.
