Drivers, cyclists, and residents across the Forest of Dean face a wave of road closures this August as Gloucestershire County Council initiates a major series of infrastructure repairs, utility installations, and carriageway maintenance projects.

The disruptions kick off early in the month in Drybrook. Bents Lane will close temporarily outside ‘Croft House’ for roughly 20 metres starting at 8am on August 10. The closure, required for Openreach utility works, is scheduled to wrap up by 5pm on August 12. Starting at the same time, Cinderford motorists will see a 75-metre stretch of Heywood Road—from No. 11 to the High Street junction—shut down from August 10 to August 18 for critical carriageway resurfacing.

Cyclists in Lydney will also need to adjust their routines. Starting at 8am on August 12, a 60-metre section of the B4231 Church Road Cycleway near the ‘Old Farmers Store’ will close for electrical pole and cable installations. Work is set to finish by 4:45pm on August 14.

The most widespread disruptions begin on August 21, when council contractors launch an extensive carriageway patching program across dozens of local routes. Affected areas span Coleford, West Dean, St Briavels, Hewelsfield and Brockweir, Woolaston, Newland, and Staunton.

Major routes included in the patching schedule feature Coleford’s Market Place, Bank Street, and Boxbush Road, alongside long stretches such as the 2.39 km stretch from the County Boundary to Swanpool Wood and the 800-metre section of Viney Hill Road. This major patching initiative is expected to run through March 31, 2027, with on-site signage indicating specific active work zones.

Rounding out the August works, a 140-metre stretch of the C7 Road in Woolaston Parish (from ‘The School’ to Netherend Crescent) will undergo resurfacing between August 26 and August 28. Additionally, an overnight closure on Eastern Avenue in Mitcheldean near ‘Rock Cottage’ will take place from 9pm on August 26 until 5:00 AM on August 27 for Severn Trent repairs.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Alternative signed diversion routes, along with pedestrian access to nearby properties, will be maintained throughout all projects. However, emergency service access will be restricted on the C7 Road in Woolaston due to the nature of the surfacing works.