What's in this issue
Welcome to the September edition of our A417 Missing Link newsletter. In here you’ll find out more about what’s happening on the project including:
- Project update
- National Customer Service Week
- Meet the Team: Carolyne Ferguson
- Upcoming roadworks
- Other work happening in the area
- Out and about in the community
- Staying safe on our roads this autumn
- How to contact us
Project update
This month we completed our work at Leckhampton Hill and opened the new road to traffic as planned towards the end of September.
Preparations for the new Gloucestershire Way Crossing are underway as we continue to remove earth and build foundations for the central pier. Dry-stone walling is progressing well at Stockwell and Cowley, and our piling work continues in preparation for Stockwell Farm bridge.
 Congratulations to the team
Our team was named Project Team of the Year at the CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) Awards 2024. We also won the Environmental Excellence Award. Well done to all involved.
National Customer Service Week
Each year, National Customer Service Week (NCSW), which this year runs from Monday 7 to Friday 11 October, gives organisations an opportunity to celebrate what it means to deliver good customer service.
At National Highways, customer service is one of our three key imperatives, along with safety and delivery. Our primary role is to provide a well-maintained and safe network. We proactively maintain, operate and enhance our roads to reduce disruption and help our customers feel safe.
The needs of our customers are central to everything we do – from how we answer the phone to how we plan our roadworks. Our customers include the people who use our roads – whether in a car, a goods vehicle, on a motorcycle or bicycle, on horseback or on foot – as well as those who live and work alongside them.
In recognition of NCSW, we'd like to introduce Kier’s Head of Stakeholder, Customer and Communications, Carolyne Ferguson.
 1. What is your role on the A417 Missing Link scheme?
I am responsible for the team that delivers internal and external communications to all stakeholders and customers. We regularly attend meetings to update on works information, meet our customers face-to-face and organise events for the public. It’s a busy role supporting National Highways in sharing information about this major project, which is being delivered as an integrated project team.
2. What did you do before you joined Kier?
I have worked with Kier since 2018, and have been working on major projects. Before that, I worked with various construction companies as stakeholder/customer manager.
3. How do you work together as a team to provide good customer service?
Good communication is key for great customer service. Informing everyone of what is happening, when and why is essential to ensuring that customers and residents feel included and involved.
4. What does good customer service mean to you?
I’m a customer! Always treat your customers as you would want to be treated. Be open, honest and transparent and adopt a ‘no surprises approach’.
5. What do you most enjoy about your role on this scheme?
Construction is such an interesting industry, whether it’s a new bridge, road or building. We’re creating a legacy for current and future generations to enjoy. Speaking to people about the work involved helps them to understand and brings them on the journey with us.
6. Where does your love of good customer service come from?
Years in retail before joining construction. Working as a store manager for Marks & Spencer where customer truly was at the heart of every sale, gave me a great grounding and was an amazing experience, with transferable skills.
Upcoming roadworks
A436 Air Balloon Roundabout to Ullenwood Manor Road overnight closures
We'll be fully closing the A436 overnight from the Air Balloon Roundabout to Ullenwood Manor Road to install drainage, gullies and kerbs, and carry out surfacing and ducting work:
- Monday 7 October to Friday 11 October (inclusive) - 9pm to 6am each night
- Monday 14 October to Friday 18 October (inclusive) - 9pm to 6am each night
Reminder: Barrow Wake car park closure
Please remember that Barrow Wake viewpoint car park will remain closed until March 2025. This is so that we can build a new dry-stone wall to stop glare from vehicle lights. We're also installing drainage tanks under the carriageway.
Local businesses will remain open as normal.
Other work happening in the area
A417/A419 essential maintenance
We've now completed the five weekend closures recently advertised to complete essential maintenance work on the A417 and A419. This was separate from the A417 Missing Link scheme. Details of other maintenance works being carried out locally are provided on our maintenance schemes webpage.
Where to find more information
All roadworks and planned road closures on motorways and major A roads, including the A417, are published on the Traffic England website.
We also publish a Road Closure Report that includes a seven day look ahead of planned road closures. This is updated twice a day, Monday to Friday except for bank holidays.
You can also find the latest information about local road closures managed by Gloucestershire County Council, on its webpage.
Out and about in the community
On Tuesday 1 October, our teams will be holding a Macmillan Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Look out for pictures in our next newsletter.
We’ll be out and about in the community over the next few months with lots of activities, plus we’ll be holding more information events so you can come along to find out all about our latest project progress.
Staying safe on our roads this autumn
Sunday 22 September was the official start of autumn, so it's time to check you’re ready for this season’s driving conditions.
We're encouraging drivers to be prepared before you travel by carrying out checks to ensure your vehicle is ready for the damp, cold and foggy conditions which will likely arrive this autumn.
Weather conditions vary considerably throughout the year and sometimes change very quickly. To keep safe when travelling on our network, it's important to adjust the way you drive and prepare for travelling in different and changing weather situations.
It’s always a good idea to plan your journey in advance, which is particularly important if you are travelling on routes you are not familiar with.
Checking the weather forecast before you travel can help you determine whether it might be worth delaying a journey if bad weather is forecast or at the very least to understand the traffic conditions. There is lots of advice on our website about travelling safely in different weathers.
Contact us
You can keep up to date with the latest scheme news by visiting our website, emailing or phoning us, or following us on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook -
Webpage: nationalhighways.co.uk/a417-missing-link/
Email: A417MissingLink@nationalhighways.co.uk
Phone: 0300 123 5000
X: @HighwaysSWEST
Facebook: @HighwaysSWEST
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