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.
This funding is in addition to £10 million already allocated by the CIL Joint Committee in March 2025.
CIL is a charge that local authorities can place on new developments to help fund infrastructure such as transport improvements, parks, and other public green spaces.
Councillor Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, and Chair of the CIL Joint Committee, said: “This funding for the planned improvements to the M5 at Junction 10 signals a strong commitment – to both our communities and the business sector – about our area’s prospects.
“We’re pleased to have reached this important decision and support Gloucestershire County Council’s scheme’s funding. It marks an important step which will help to drive major growth, bringing new opportunities to both our area and the wider region.
“With full access to the M5 in both directions, it will be much easier for everyone to travel, work, and thrive here. These improvements will also tackle congestion in west-Cheltenham, shorten journey times and improve daily life for thousands of people; and help support better options for sustainable transport.”
Cllr Julian Tooke, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure, said: “This latest commitment is a crucial piece of the funding jigsaw in progressing one of Gloucestershire’s most strategically important infrastructure schemes.
“While a funding shortfall remains, the ringfenced CIL of £20 million demonstrates to Government that strong regional support exists for the scheme. It also brings us a step closer to delivering the infrastructure needed to support new housing, employment and investment in the area – but only if we also get the necessary Government support.”
The funds will be held by the CIL Joint Committee and made available to the county council as the project progresses, unlocking significant opportunities for employment and housing. Preparation work for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme began over the summer and will continue to ensure construction can begin in spring/summer 2026.
For more information see the report to the CIL Joint Committee Meeting on 25 September 2025.
ENDS
Notes:
Gloucestershire County Council at its Cabinet meeting on 17 September 2025 following a cost re-evaluation of the scheme identified pressures on delivery of the scheme arising from an extended budget gap of £110 million linked the to the significantly extended time required to prepare for and progress through the associated development consent inquiry, decision period and subsequent inflationary pressures.
Jemima Lawson
Communications Officer
Transformation
Tewkesbury Borough Council
01684 272026