A MEETING between three Gloucestershire politicians and the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP has taken place following the deaths of three people on the A417.

Cotswold MP Geoffrey Clifton Brown along with Gloucestershire County Council leader Mark Hawhtorne and Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, met with Mr McLoughlin to discuss how the notorious stretch of road can be improved.

The Gloucestershire delegation demanded improvements on the 5km stretch, commonly referred to as the Missing Link, on safety, environmental and economic grounds.

Mr Clifton-Brown said: “The tragic fatalities recently have highlighted how dangerous this road is. This missing link has been a restraining factor in Gloucestershire’s economic growth for far too long.

“We need to do all that we can to ensure that a solution is high up on the national priorities.”

During the meeting, it was heard that over the next 12 months the Highways Agency will be determining its next round of major projects that are considered a national priority.

The Transport Secretary explained that in order for the A417 to make the list, Gloucestershire leaders would need to put forward a strong case with one voice.

Cllr Hawthorne said: “Now the hard work begins to build a coalition, both in Gloucestershire and outside our county, with councils, businesses and individuals all pushing to make sure that this road gets the improvement it so badly needs.”