M49 Avonmouth junction scheme, UK

However, it was constrained by lack of direct access to the M49 and relied on unsuitable and congested local roads for access.

Opportunity

We were employed by Highways England to complete feasibility, preliminary and detailed design works for the M49 Avonmouth Junction scheme, to create a new grade-separated junction over the existing M49 to link to the new development area.

Solution

As part of RIS1, Highways England was expected to deliver at least £1.2bn in efficiencies over five years, with a view to reinvesting saved money back into the network. Asked to achieve a saving of 10% we did better, shaving £5M to achieve a capital cost of £49.5M. This was attained by innovative drainage solutions incorporating cross motorway box culverts, and access for non-motorised users using paths and underpasses within the earthworks, ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and horse-riders.

We also worked with the public body that manages water levels in an area – the internal drainage board (IDB) – to develop an overall management strategy for surface water run-off in the whole development area, managed by the IDB. Normally project associated run-off would have been handled within the scheme boundary, requiring drainage infrastructure and soakaways.

Outcome

The M49 Avonmouth Junction was the first south-west RIS scheme to reach construction.

The scheme not only addresses local traffic congestion, but it ensures drivers’ easy access to the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area, an important economic hub that houses large-scale industrial, warehousing, distribution, energy, waste processing, port and associated activities across 1,800ha. It is strategically located near Bristol Port and recent investments in the site’s resilience and ecology have made it an appealing location for further business investment. It is hoped the area will support approximately 12,000 new jobs by 2026.

Without the junction, both the port of Avonmouth and the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area to the west of Bristol would have remained cut off from the M49, hindering important opportunities for development. Now, Avonmouth is open for business.