Highways England has revealed its multi-million pound plans to improve a notoriously dangerous and congested road which has been frustrating motorists for decades.

The stretch of road between the Air Balloon and Cowley roundabouts on the A417 has been an ongoing source of annoyance for road users, with severe traffic congestion a major problem for the 37,000 vehicles that use the road every day.

It is also the most dangerous stretch of the 50km long A417, that runs from Gloucester through to Swindon, with 57 collisions between November 2011 and November 2016 resulting in five deaths. A further two fatal collisions occurred late last year.

Business leaders and owners say that the road is off-putting for visitors and investors and is holding back the county economically.

Highways England originally identified 30 route options to improve the situation but have now narrowed it down to two.

Tunnels were considered and results showed that they would have brought greater landscape benefits, however it was decided they were too expensive and would not offer value for money, with the cheapest estimate for a tunnel option £875million.

Both proposals on the table would see a three-lane carriageway going up Crickley Hill and two-lanes coming down.

Option 30 is the more expensive to build of the pair, at £485million compared to option 12’s £465million.

But it does though offer a better return on investment at £1.04 for every £1 spent improving the road compared to option 12’s 68p.

Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Leader of the County Council Liberal Democrats (Bourton & Northleach), represents part of the A417 and attended last night’s launch of the Missing Link options consultation at the Star College.

He said: “After years of campaigning it was a sweet moment to see real options on the table at last to fix the gridlock, pollution and accident record at the Air Balloon.

“The Liberal Democrats in Gloucestershire are totally committed to solving this decades old issue and to get our county moving again at the blackspot.

“Both of the options being presented are do-able and I’m now going to speak to residents and parish councils about their views.

“It’s important to note that the consultation states that construction will not start until mid-2021 – we will do our bit to ensure the Government doesn’t let this slip.”

Highways England are inviting people to have their say on the plans to upgrade the road by hosting a series of consultations. The first consultation takes place today with numerous more to follow until March 20.

It will allow people to present their views on the two proposed routes, but it is not a vote, only taking feedback on board when making the decision.

For further information on the consultation go to the consultation page: www.highways.gov.uk/a417-missing-link