RESIDENTS of a Forest village fear an accident on a steep, narrow hill as they wait for the main road through the area to be repaired.

The B4234 in Upper Lydbrook was closed just before Christmas after a sinkhole appeared — which has led to more traffic on New Road, Hangerberry.

There was fury on Tuesday (May 18) as a large crane made its way up the hill towards the main Gloucester to Coleford road.

Residents say they has been no indication of when the B4234 will re-open but Gloucestershire Highways said last week it was hoped it would be by the end of June.

Parish councillor Zoe Lingham, who lives on New Road, said: “The main road in and out of the village suffered a sinkhole on December 23.

“This has caused a high increase of traffic on New Road, Hangerberry, which has been detrimental to the road surface and has created a dangerous pot-holed, car-wrecking journey.

“New Road is supposed to be for vehicles up to 7.5 tons, but (on Tuesday) a crane was driven through causing tailbacks and narrowly missing parked vehicles.

“We have reported 30-ton tractors and various lorries being driven up and down this road but have received very little support from highways.

Resident Cherry Wilden said: “People are also coming up and down the road at ridiculous speeds.

“It is only a matter of time before there is an accident.”

Lydbrook Parish Council has spent £2,000 on electronic sign boards to warn motorists of their speed but they are currently in storage until Gloucestershire County Council installs posts for them to go on.

Brian Watkins, Area Highways Manager, said: “We had to close the B4234 in Lydbrook for the safety of road users at the end of last year as the result of a collapsed culvert.

“Repairs are underway and we expect they will be completed and the road re-opened at the end of June.”