Corporate Housing in Gloucester

Learn about the top employers in Gloucester and their contributions to the local economy. This section highlights key businesses and organisations that play a significant role in the community and shape the city's vibrant economic landscape.

Do you mean the top five employers in the city of Gloucester specifically, or the wider county of Gloucestershire? Also, should the ranking be by number of local employees (largest employers by headcount in the area)?

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Explore the diverse transport options available in Gloucester, from efficient public transportation systems to convenient road networks. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the city, this section will give you an overall look at the available transportation systems.

Public Transit System
- Gloucester railway station (Great Western Railway & CrossCountry) - Mainline station in the city centre with frequent regional and intercity services operated by Great Western Railway and CrossCountry, providing regular connections to Cheltenham Spa and the Cotswolds, Bristol Temple Meads, Birmingham New Street and the West Midlands, plus direct and connecting services to London Paddington, Cardiff and destinations across the north and south-west of England.
- Local bus network (Stagecoach West and local operators) - Extensive local and regional bus routes linking the city centre, suburbs and surrounding towns (Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Stroud, the Forest of Dean), with frequent city services and rural routes serving villages and commuter corridors.
- National Express and long‑distance coaches - Intercity coach services offering long‑distance travel to London and other major UK cities from Gloucester’s coach/bus interchange.
- City and regional taxi services & ride‑hailing - Radio taxis, private hire companies and app-based ride services operating across the city for on‑demand trips and first/last‑mile connections.
- Accessible transport and community minibuses - Dial‑a‑ride, community transport schemes and accessible bus options operated by council/voluntary groups for people with mobility needs and for rural connectivity.

Major Highways
- M5 - Primary motorway serving Gloucester, linking the city north to Birmingham and the West Midlands and south to Bristol and the South West; main route for long‑distance car and freight traffic.
- A40 - East–west trunk road connecting Gloucester with Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and routes towards Oxford and the M40 corridor.
- A417 - Key radial route eastwards from Gloucester toward Cirencester and the M4 corridor (Swindon/London direction); includes a prominent single‑carriageway section subject to planned upgrades.
- A38 - Important north–south trunk road providing connections to the Midlands and into parts of the south‑west, serving local and regional traffic to nearby towns.
- A430 / A4301 and other A‑roads - A network of arterial A‑roads radiating from the city (linking to Tewkesbury, Stroud and surrounding areas) that feed local, commuter and agricultural traffic onto the M5 and trunk road network.

Cycling Infrastructure
- City cycle network and traffic‑free routes - A mix of on‑road cycle lanes, advisory and segregated routes in parts of the city, dedicated traffic‑free paths (notably towpaths along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and riverside paths), signed links to the National Cycle Network and targeted Active Travel improvements to better connect residential areas, the city centre, Gloucester Quays and nearby employment sites.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements
- Gloucester transport hub and station accessibility upgrades - Recent years have seen investment in the station area and bus/rail interchange to improve passenger facilities, seating, information, step‑free access and pedestrian flow between rail and bus services.
- A417 “Missing Link” proposals - A major nationally significant scheme to address the single carriageway section east of Gloucester by providing a new dual carriageway bypass to improve journey times, safety and connectivity to the M4 corridor (planning and delivery phases ongoing).
- M5/A40 junction and corridor upgrades - Targeted junction and safety improvements on routes feeding the M5 and A40 around Gloucester to reduce congestion and improve freight/commuter reliability (local highway authority and national trunk road works).
- Active Travel and cycle route investments - Ongoing and planned local authority projects funded through central Active Travel and local transport funds to expand segregated cycle lanes, improve crossings, secure cycle parking and enhance walking links for short urban journeys.
- Bus priority, fleet and service enhancements - Local initiatives to improve bus punctuality and comfort, including bus priority measures, stop upgrades and gradual fleet modernisation to cleaner engines; some routes and timetables have been adjusted post‑pandemic to reflect changing demand.
- Local transport strategy and housing‑linked improvements - County and city transport plans tied to housing and employment growth delivering phased highway, junction and sustainable transport measures to support new developments and reduce local bottlenecks.