Gloucestershire County Council has released a statement after a surprise road closure caused traffic chaos in the Forest of Dean.

The full statement from the county council is as follows:

‘Following congestion this morning, the resurfacing works on the A48 at Stroat between Tidenham and Woolaston will be changed to avoid rush hour queues.

Resurfacing work began today (20^th April) to improve the A48 at Stroat. The A48 is an important road for thousands of commuters and businesses, but following years of heavy use the surface is in need of repair.

Whilst a full closure was initially planned to reduce the length of time the works took, following concerns from local residents, the scheme has been changed to cut rush hour congestion.

To carry out the work safely it is necessary to close the road to traffic between 9.30am and 3.30pm each week day.

Two diversions are in place, one for heavy goods vehicles via the A4136, Monmouth, the A40 and A449 and another for lighter traffic via the A4136, Monmouth and A466 however local traffic may know of shorter routes.

The A48 is a major route through the county and the area is already becoming congested so Gloucestershire County Council is asking drivers to plan their journeys in advance and to avoid the area at closure times if at all possible.

The road will be open at all other times so traffic will not be affected during the morning rush hour, in the evenings, at night times or at weekends.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways said, “I was very concerned to hear about the disruption in parts of the Forest of Dean this morning. The works on the A48 are an important part of our investment into improving the condition of Gloucestershire’s roads – but this has clearly caused more problems than expected. From tomorrow, the works will only be operating outside peak hours. Whilst this will extend the duration of the scheme, we hope that it will lessen the impact on local residents and businesses.”

“Our resurfacing work will really improve this part of the A48 and we’re doing all we can to minimise delays.”

The county council appreciates that the diversions are long but legally must publicise an alternative route using equivalent A roads. People living locally, driving cars and small vans are welcome to use other alternative routes that they are aware of.

Arrangements have been made for local school buses, and access will be maintained for emergency vehicles.

The work is now scheduled to finish on Thursday 12^th May and once complete, the new surface is expected to last for more than 20 years.

For enquires please call 08000 514514.’

Surprise roadworks on a busy road is causing traffic chaos in the Forest of Dean.

Apparently without warning, the A48 between Brookend and Chepstow has closed for roadworks.

And diverted traffic is piling up in the area as large vehicles struggle past each other on narrow country lanes.

One Citizen reader contacted us through Facebook, he said: “If anyone is travelling down the A48, be aware, they have closed the road in both directions from Wyvern Car Sales, Brookend all the Way to Chepstow.

 

“There were signs from further up this morning saying the road was being closed from 07:30 20/04/2016 until 06/05/2016.”
He added: “This was a bit of a shock because I drive on that road everyday and there were no such signs at 08:30 yesterday morning warning us.

“Not sure if the it is a complete closure between those dates or if it is open in the evenings.”

And on social media people have posted pictures of the traffic pile-ups.

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Forest of Dean News Centre

Tidenham chase snarl ups due to diverted traffic. Large vehicles struggling to pass each other on narrow road. Single track lanes suffering also. Madness!

From Sue Adams.

At 5:30pm on Wednesday, Gloucestershire County Council issued a statement to say resurfacing works on the A48 at Stroat between Tidenham and Woolaston will be changed to avoid rush hour queues.

Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said:
“I was very concerned to hear about the disruption in parts of the Forest of Dean this morning. The works on the A48 are an important part of our investment into improving the condition of Gloucestershire’s roads – but this has clearly caused more problems than expected. From tomorrow, the works will only be operating outside peak hours. Whilst this will extend the duration of the scheme, we hope that it will lessen the impact on local residents and businesses.” “Our resurfacing work will really improve this part of the A48 and we’re doing all we can to minimise delays.”