The latest move forward in creating a new junction on the M49 motorway at Avonmouth has been welcomed by the head of the Bristol office of Colliers International.
Businesses and the public are being invited to comment this week on three proposals for the design of the scheme, which will be built south of the Western Approach Distribution Park and west of the village of Easter Compton to improve road access to the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area.
Tim Davies, who heads South West and South Wales for Colliers International, said: “This consultation marks the latest progress in making the vision of a new M49 junction a reality.
“Work is scheduled to begin in 2017, and it can’t come soon enough for businesses operating in what is Western Europe’s biggest Brownfield development area.
“The additional junction on the M49 will open up thousands of acres of Brownfield land for developers at Avonmouth and Severnside, while enhancing Avonmouth’s status as an Enterprise Area and boosting its reputation as a tri-modal business hub.”
The public information event is to be held at Easter Compton Village Hall on Thursday, July 21 between 11am-7pm. The three options will be on display, and those attending will be able to speak to the Highways England project team and leave their comments on the scheme.
The five mile M49 motorway stretches from Avonmouth to the second Severn Crossing. The new junction is proposed for the area where Farm Lane – linking Severn Beach and Easter Compton – crosses the M49 motorway near the Western Approach Distribution Park.
Mr Davies added: “Direct motorway access is a major attraction to all occupiers. The area has already attracted many national and international companies and this improved infrastructure will help establish the area as one of the stand-out destination locations in the UK.”
It is anticipated that Highways England will select a preferred design option by autumn following discussions with local stakeholders, businesses and the community. Construction could start by late 2017.
