Engineering Harmony: How the A417 Green Bridge Blends Infrastructure and Ecology

An infrastructure project is underway in Gloucestershire with the construction of one of the UK’s largest green bridges, part of the £460 million A417 Missing Link scheme. Spanning 60 metres in length and 37 metres in width, the Gloucestershire Way crossing is being assembled using ten steel beams, each weighing around 100 tonnes. Once completed, the bridge will form a multi-purpose link across the dual carriageway, enabling access for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders while restoring connectivity between fragmented wildlife habitats.

The green bridge is designed with ecological integration in mind. It will feature 27 metres of calcareous grassland and native hedgerows, mirroring the surrounding landscape with the aim of facilitating movement for species such as deer, badgers, voles, insects, and birds. This bridge is one of several sustainable features embedded in the project. Two additional planted crossings will allow traffic to traverse the road, while a bat underpass and related structures aim to support the region’s bat population. Temporary bird fencing has been installed to redirect flight paths during construction and reduce the risk of vehicle collisions.

Sustainability practices extend to material usage and site management. Rock excavated during construction is being processed on-site through six crushers and reused as base layers for the road, reducing waste and transportation needs. More than 100,000 trees and 80 hectares of grassland are planned, complemented by 7.5 kilometres of traditional drystone walling built to preserve the area’s heritage and promote biodiversity. Additionally, a disused section of the old A417 will be transformed into a dedicated byway planted with species-rich vegetation and designed for inclusive accessibility. The initiative is backed by a five-year maintenance program to ensure the successful establishment of all planted elements.