Council says cracking road to stay shut until 2027

A key road between two communities in Gloucestershire will remain closed until next year following a major landslip three years ago.

Gloucestershire County Council installed temporary traffic lights on the B4234 Forest Road in November 2023 while work was carried out on the road which connects Whitecroft and Lydney in the Forest of Dean.

The council shut the road fully in February to allow for work at the landslip site and it announced on Wednesday that the closure would be extended to summer 2027 because parts of the road were cracking and have subsidence.

Nearby businesses said they had lost money as a result of the road closure.

The road was originally set to reopen fully by 31 August.

Councillor Mark Harris, the council's cabinet member for highways, said the longer closure would "help provide a safer and more resilient route for everyone who uses Forest Road".

The council said the extension would reduce the risk of further closures.

Emily Evans, who runs the Miners Arms pub in Whitecroft, said: "We've had a significant hit on trade, about a third.

"So we would expect to be a third up in profit without these roadworks.

"We've had our quietest summer holidays yet due to these road closures.

"A lot of our regulars don't want to take the other routes around as they are narrow country lanes - so even they won't come.

"We were quite upset by the news of the extension," she said.

"A lot of staff rely on the road. We feel very disheartened."

Harris said he understood the impact the continuing closure would have on residents and businesses and all those who use the road.

"I would like to thank the community for its patience and understanding," he said.

"While repairs at the original landslip site have progressed well and were completed ahead of programme, further investigations have identified additional areas of ground instability that must be addressed before the road can safely reopen.

"By carrying out these works now, while the road remains closed and specialist teams and equipment are already on site, we can deliver all the necessary stabilisation work through one coordinated programme.

"Although this means a longer closure in the short term, it will help provide a safer and more resilient route for everyone who uses Forest Road."

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