A NEW filter lane is set to improve road safety between the Air Balloon roundabout and the Leckhampton Hill junction near Cheltenham.

Highways crews will be working on the new layout overnight, starting tomorrow evening (Tuesday) and there will be two nights of closures in place.

The road between the Air Balloon roundabout and the Leckhampton Hill junction will be closed eastbound overnight tomorrow (Tuesday) and on Wednesday.

Highways crews will be on site for two nights removing the bollards and existing road lining, and then installing new road markings and a new filter lane.

While the works are carried out, the road between the Air Balloon roundabout and the Leckhampton Hill junction will be closed eastbound tomorrow (Tuesday) and on Wednesday, from 10pm to 6am.

The left hand lane on the A417 on the approach to the Air Balloon roundabout from Gloucester will be also be closed during this time.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “Making sure our road network is as efficient and safe for all road users is a top priority for the county council.

"These improvements will allow traffic to continue to flow through our county, and I’d like to thank road users for their patience while we carry out this essential work.”

What’s the diversion route?

From the west side of the closure point, take the A417 towards Cheltenham Central. Follow the A417 and then take the exit to the A46 Shurdington Road and follow signs in the direction of Shurdington. Stay on the A46 Shurdington Road and continue towards Cheltenham.

• For Leckhampton Hill – at the Bath Road roundabout take the second exit and follow Leckhampton Road.

• For the A436 – at the Bath Road roundabout take the first exit. Follow the road to the junction with the A40 Thirlestaine Road, turn right. Follow the A40 and at the roundabout take the first exit. At the next roundabout take the second exit in the direction of the A435 Cirencester. At the signalised junction with the A435 turn right and follow the A435 all the way to Seven Springs roundabout. At the Seven Springs roundabout take the second exit and immediately at the next roundabout take the second exit onto the A436. Westbound traffic will remain open.