News

Gloucestershire County Council is holding two public information events for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme, following the project being granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport in June.

The public information events are intended to give local residents, businesses and other stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about the scheme. Attendees will be able to meet the project team, find out what’s planned and ask questions.

The drop-in events will take place on Wednesday 15 October from 11am – 2pm and Thursday 16 October from 4pm – 7pm at Cheltenham West Community Fire and Rescue Station in Uckington, Cheltenham. 

Cllr Julian Tooke, Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure, said: “The scheme is vital for enabling the delivery of planned housing and employment sites, as well as improving traffic flow and safety. 

“However, it’s important to be clear that the scheme currently faces a significant funding shortfall. We are actively lobbying government for an additional £70 million to close this gap — without it, the delivery of the scheme is at risk.  

“I encourage residents and businesses who support the scheme to contact their local MP and make their views known — their voices can help ensure this vital infrastructure project goes ahead.”

Funding for the scheme has been secured from a range of sources. So far, contributions have been secured from: UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, administered by Homes England; district council Community Infrastructure Levy funding; Gloucestershire County Council; and S106 contributions from developers whose sites will directly benefit from the scheme. Other funding is being actively pursued to complete the overall package. Any request would need to follow standard government processes and, while efforts are ongoing, there is currently no certainty of a successful outcome.

Completion of the scheme will: 

·       Create around 12,000 skilled jobs for local people

·       Enable delivery of up to 15,000 new homes — including 5,250 that are affordable

·       Support the Golden Valley development and the National Cyber Innovation Centre and technology cluster

·       Build on the successful delivery of the £33 million Arle Court Transport Hub

Gloucestershire County Council is leading delivery of the scheme in collaboration with National Highways and other partners. Weather-dependant preparation works start this autumn, to avoid rising costs and keep the project on track. These early site works will be carried out by appointed contractor Galliford Try. 

All the latest information on the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme can be found on the scheme webpage at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/J10, where you can also sign up to receive updates as the project progresses.

Press release 
22 September 2025

A new Digital Strategy for 2025 to 2028 has been approved by Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Executive Committee.  

Building on the council’s award-winning digital transformation work, the strategy sets out the council’s ambition to deliver online services that are so good, residents, businesses and communities choose to use them – and importantly makes it clear that for those people that would rather phone or visit the council, then the same high-quality services will be available. 

Customer experience is at the heart of the strategy – with a commitment to making interactions with the council simpler, faster, and more personal for residents, businesses, and communities – whether it’s finding out the status of a planning application, ordering a bulky waste service or applying for a taxi license – and much more.  It also sets out how technology and digital tools will be used to ensure the organisation becomes more efficient and effective, with a focus on being prepared for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).  

Councillor Mike Sztymiak, Lead Member for Transformation, said: “I was delighted to present this strategy to our Executive Committee. It promises to bring our residents and businesses better customer experiences, with a smarter use of data and strong cyber-security, as well as being environmentally friendly.”

Joe Cole, Associate Director: IT, Cyber and Digital, said: “This strategy is all about delivering digital services that work for everyone.  “Our aim is to make our digital services so simple and effective that people choose to use them, whilst also keeping our traditional options available for those who would prefer to use them. This approach guarantees that every resident will have access to our services regardless of their internet access, skills, or personal circumstances, especially in complex or sensitive situations.” 

The strategy includes a clear roadmap and practical tools – from automating manual tasks to using greener technology, with clear outcomes being delivered:  

Better customer experiences: Residents will see faster responses, clearer updates, and more choice in how they interact with the council. 

A digitally confident workforce: Staff will have access to the tools and training needed to meet customers’ expectations.  

Financial sustainability: By automating routine tasks and making services more efficient, we’re freeing up resources to save or reinvest to support the delivery of council outcomes.

Strong cyber and technology foundations: Ensuring we have robust and secure systems that keep data protected and services running smoothly, including the use of new and emerging technology. 

Smarter use of data: The council will use data to anticipate needs and improve services, while keeping information safe and secure. 

Ready for future changes: Our strategy will help to ensure the council is as prepared as possible for the changes required through Local Government Reorganisation.

Environmentally friendly service delivery: Less paper, fewer car journeys, and responsible recycling of old technology.

The strategy supports the council’s corporate vision of ‘supporting people,strengthening communities’, and will be regularly reviewed to ensure progress and transparency. The council’s environmental goals are also supported–reducing paper use, cutting down on business travel, and recycling old technology responsibly.

Security is also a key part of the plan. As services become more digital, the council is committed to keeping them safe and secure,with flexible solutions that protect both data and users.  This strategy marks a major step in Tewkesbury Borough Council’s journey to deliver modern, inclusive, and sustainable services – making life easier for residents and helping the borough stay resilient in a fast-moving digital world.  

Progress will be regularly reviewed by the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee to ensure transparency and accountability.    

The Executive Committee has also approved the AI policy, which will now go to Council on Tuesday, 30 September for final approval.

The AI policy provides essential rules and processes to ensure that the use of AI is ethical and properly approved.

Press release 
25 September 2025

Today (Thursday, 25 September 2025), at a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee, councillors from Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough, and Gloucester City councils, agreed to ringfence up to an extra £20 million from the CIL fund, to support Gloucestershire County Council in delivering the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme. 

For more information see the report to the CIL Joint Committee Meeting on 25 September 2025.   

23rd September 2025

The hotel has been bought by a Slough company, Kang Hotels for an undisclosed sum after offers of £2M were being sought.

Kang Hotels have plans to refurbish the 55-bedroom Oakwood Hotel and create a “high-end offering” for guests with an additional bar and restaurant.

This acquisition was announced by the business property adviser Christie & Co on September 23, 2025. 

Kang Hotels is an operator of a growing portfolio of UK properties, and The Oakwood Hotel is now part of their expanding portfolio, according to a post on X. 

Would you like to have more of a say in what goes on in your community? Are you passionate about your local park? Do you believe there should be more available for young people or feel that you could help local businesses to thrive?

Whatever your motivation, stand for what you believe in – be a councillor!

What kind of support will I get

There is a lot of support and advice available to help you make your decision and, if elected, you will have a whole team of people dedicated to helping you get the most out of your experience.

How can I get involved?

Once you’ve decided to get involved and stand as a councillor there are two main routes. You can either stand for one of the political parties/groups or as an independent.

Representing a political party

If you want to represent a political party then get involved with your party locally as soon as possible. They will advise on what is involved and ultimately select a candidate.

Standing as an independent candidate

If you’re thinking of standing as an independent candidate there is a lot of helpful information on the Electoral Commission website. You will need to start becoming aware of issues in your local area, what the council is doing about these issues, and how your own opinion differs from the political parties.

More information

You can find out more information on becoming a councillor on the Local Government Association website.

Gloucestershire Police have reported that the incident that occurred on Tuesday 9th September, on the A38 between Twigworth Green and Longford, involved a car and two motorbikes.

The three-vehicle collision left one person in hospital with serious injuries to their arms and legs, police have said.

The crash was reported at around 8.40am on the A38 Tewkesbury Road near Longford, the road was closed for three hours and caused major delays at a peak time, compounded by ongoing roadworks and other local road closures.

09.09.2025

Community 20s and Safer Roads programmes attract over 150 expressions of interest as cabinet prepares for decision

Gloucestershire County Council is delighted to announce a major milestone in its commitment to road safety and the wellbeing of communities across the county.

At the upcoming Cabinet meeting, councillors will be considering the allocation of £300,000 as an initial amount to support two groundbreaking initiatives: Community 20s and Safer Roads.

Currently the county council is seeking expressions of interest for:

• Community 20s: introducing 20mph speed limits where people live, work, and travel—especially on streets used by vulnerable road users such as children and older people.
• Safer Roads: targeted reductions of speed limits on roads with a history of casualties, ensuring everyone’s journey is safer.

These ambitious programmes are aligned with Gloucestershire’s vision for safer roads and healthier streets. By lowering speed limits in the right places, the council aims to foster environments where all road users—especially the most vulnerable—can travel confidently and safely. Both initiatives play a crucial role in delivering on the council’s Vision Zero ambition to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on Gloucestershire roads by 2050.

A key milestone on this journey is to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads by 2032.

Interest in the initiatives has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 150 expressions of interest already received from parish, town, and district councils. Gloucestershire County Council is inviting further expressions of interest from parish and town councils, as well as county councillors, and is encouraging all interested parishes to respond by 19 September 2025. To register, complete the online form provided in the council’s letter to local councils.

Cllr Lisa Spivey, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “As a new administration, we are committed to partnership working to deliver for residents, focussing on the things they are concerned about. We know that blanket 20mph schemes introduced in other places have not been wholly popular which is why we have started by asking communities whether this is something they would welcome. This response will help us structure delivery of the scheme which will happen over the next few years.”

She continued: “It’s fantastic to see such a healthy appetite for safer streets—over 150 communities have already come forward. If agreed the commitment to investing an initial £300,000 in the Community 20s and Safer Roads initiatives will be a bold, positive step towards our Vision Zero ambition and making Gloucestershire a safer, healthier place for all.”

As interest continues to grow, the council emphasises that all submissions will be carefully assessed and prioritised, ensuring the greatest impact for communities and value for taxpayers. The process will include further engagement with local councils and communities, and more details on the scope and next steps are available in the FAQs.

Gloucestershire County Council looks forward to working with its partners and residents to pave the way for safer, more vibrant streets—together.

09.09.2025

Gloucestershire County Council is changing the way it delivers major road and infrastructure projects, making it quicker and easier to get work underway.

At the moment, every big project has to go through a lengthy bidding process before contractors can be appointed. The new system will line up a group of trusted contractors in advance, ready to start work when needed. This will cut down on delays, reduce costs and make sure residents see improvements on the ground sooner.

The contractors will be chosen for their track record, value for money and the positive impact they bring to local communities.

There will be two groups: one covering general road schemes such as resurfacing and junction upgrades and another covering specialist projects such as bridges, drainage and land stabilisation.

Since 2021, the council has already invested more than £45 million in major schemes, including:

• The B4063 Gloucester to Cheltenham Cycleway, improving safety for cyclists and walkers
• The widening of Llanthony Road in Gloucester, cutting congestion and improving journeys
• The restoration of Tintern Wireworks Bridge, protecting a historic structure for the future

Over the next four years, the council plans to deliver even more, including the 26-mile Gloucestershire Cycle Spine linking towns across the county.

Cllr Joe Harris, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “This is about cutting red tape and getting on with the job. People want smoother roads, safer junctions and stronger bridges – not delays and excuses. By lining up trusted contractors now, we can crack on with the big projects that will really make a difference. We’re serious about making Gloucestershire’s roads great again and this one of the ways we’ll do it.”

The new arrangements are due to launch in autumn 2025, with the first projects expected to begin in early 2026.

It looks as though the road works which are in place at Ironbridge Road are behind the schedule.

From what we understand talking with the ground worker team, there are further drains and gullies to install before the resurfacing can begin, this was scheduled to take place this week and next.

Due to the ongoing Ironbridge Road surfacing works, bus services at TG are still suspended.

Students need to be extra careful when using A38 bus stops, while waiting or crossing road, at peak hours, pavements are very narrow and traffic is moving fast!

Vistry have also advised that they are still waiting on a delivery date from the manufacturer, of the proposed bus shelter, they are chasing this and have expressed the urgency.