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Old A417 to Birdlip to Close for Good as New B4070 Opens

The old A417 between Cowley and Birdlip closes again from 27 to 30 November, then shuts for good in December when Birdlip traffic moves to a new B4070.

By Alex Harrington 1 min read
Construction of the A417 Missing Link road on the Cotswold escarpment near Birdlip
A417 Missing Link construction. Photo: TCExplorer, CC BY-SA 2.0

The old A417 between Cowley junction and Birdlip will close again from 11pm on Friday 27 November to 6am on Monday 30 November, and the road will shut for good in December when traffic for Birdlip moves onto a new B4070, National Highways has said.

On this page
  1. The weekend closure: 27 to 30 November
  2. Lane closure on the B4070 from Birdlip
  3. What changes in December

The changes are part of the A417 Missing Link scheme, which will link the two dual-carriageway sections of the A417 at Brockworth and Cowley. National Highways expects the scheme to finish in 2027.

The weekend closure: 27 to 30 November

From 11pm on Friday 27 November to 6am on Monday 30 November, the old A417 will be closed between Cowley junction and the existing B4070, with no access to Birdlip from Cowley junction. National Highways says drivers coming from Cirencester, Elkstone and Brimpsfield should head north on the A417 to the A46 Brockworth junction and continue to Birdlip from there. A signed diversion will be in place, and it asks drivers to follow the signs rather than satnav. Emergency services keep access throughout.

Lane closure on the B4070 from Birdlip

From Monday 16 November, for about two weeks, one lane of the B4070 from Birdlip towards its junction with the old A417 will be closed, with temporary traffic lights, while crews carry out surfacing, drainage and vegetation clearance.

What changes in December

That work is to prepare for traffic switching onto the new B4070 in December 2026. Once it opens, the old A417 will be closed permanently between Stockwell Lane and the former B4070, and traffic heading for Birdlip will use the new B4070 from Shab Hill junction instead. National Highways hasn’t yet given an exact date for the switch.

National Highways says closure dates can change at short notice, so check its scheme page before you travel. More from the area: Cirencester.

Details checked on 15 November 2026 using National Highways’ A417 Missing Link updates of 29 October 2026.

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Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington runs What's up, Cotswolds? with Lydia Mee, alongside What's up, Stratford? and What's up, Warwick?: independent guides to what's on, local news and the practical things.