M49 junction construction
Highways England programme leader Colin Bird, Highways England executive director Peter Mumford, and UK Member of Parliament Jack Lopresti. Credit: Crown.

Galliford Try has started the construction on a Highways England project for a new M49 junction, which is set to reduce congestion and boost Bristol’s economy.

The company secured the construction contract worth more than £24m from Highways England in December as part of a £49m project.

The new M49 junction will provide a connection to the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area from the motorway.

Comprising two bridges, it will also reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles and other vehicles on the local road network.

“Every £1 invested in this scheme will bring more than £30 into the local economy, generating more than 14,000 jobs in the long term.”

Highways England south-west regional delivery director Nick Aldworth said: “Every £1 invested in this scheme will bring more than £30 into the local economy, generating more than 14,000 jobs in the long term.”

Highways England is working on the scheme in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

The scheme will use the present bridge at Farm Lane and build a second bridge next to it.

Located to the south of the Western Approach Distribution Park and west of the village of Easter Compton, the two bridges will connect a single roundabout spanning the motorway with new access and exit slip roads that will fully connect with northbound and southbound traffic.

The new M49 junction project in the south-west marks the first road investment strategy scheme to start construction in the region.

Delivered by Highways England, the upgrades will receive funding from the government’s £15bn investment in motorways and main A roads.

Construction of the junction is slated to be completed by December next year.