It’s been open barely a year — and the A417’s brand-new “Missing Link” in Gloucestershire is already earning a reputation… not for its scenery, but for its speeding tickets.
Yes, the shiny new stretch of road that promised to “connect communities and improve safety” has become a bit of a trap for heavy right feet.
Dozens of drivers have already been caught out by those sneaky speed cameras — proving that even when the tarmac’s smooth, the limits still bite.
The curse of the clean road
You know the feeling. New road. Wide lanes. Perfect surface. The car hums like it’s in a Top Gear montage.
And before you know it — flash.
It’s human nature. We see an open road and assume it’s fair game. But in reality, most of these new stretches come with tighter temporary limits (and plenty of cameras watching).
Even Jeremy Clarkson, who lives just up the road in the Cotswolds, would probably have to rein it in a bit — or at least have a solid dashcam to plead his case.
Why this matters (and not just for your licence)
According to Gloucestershire Police, hundreds of warnings and fines have already gone out since the road opened. It’s a reminder that even “safer” new roads can be riskier than they look — especially when drivers switch off because everything feels so smooth.
Speed limits aren’t there to spoil the fun. They’re there because the conditions, signage, and local layout might still be bedding in. Think of it as a shakedown run — for both the road and the drivers.
The Road Angel view
We get it — nobody likes being lectured about speed. But there’s a world of difference between driving well and driving fast.
A Road Angel device helps you do both — by keeping you alert to cameras, limits, and live conditions so you can enjoy the drive without getting that dreaded letter through the door.
Smart driving isn’t about slowing down — it’s about knowing when to ease off. Even Clarkson would admit that.
Your turn: have you driven the Missing Link yet?
We’d love to hear what you think — is it a masterpiece of British engineering or just another ticket trap?
Drop your thoughts on our Facebook page, and we might just include your best comment in next month’s newsletter.
