MOTORISTS in the Forest and surrounding areas are set for months of travel disruption with a stretch of the A40 closing until February next year.

National Highways announced last week that from Monday (August 8), the A40 would be closed at Dursley Cross, near May Hill, for six months, in order to complete £4 million works to repair a collapsed embankment.

The closure will be in effect between Saunders Close and Sterrys Lane, with a diversion in place through the Forest.

The works follow a landslip near Glasshouse Lane in February 2021.

The eastbound carriageway has been closed since then, and temporary traffic signals have been in place to enable assessment and survey work to be carried out, and latterly the first phase of the project to reduce water levels.

Those works are now complete, but due to the limited working area and complexity of the second phase, which includes the rebuilding and stabilising of the embankment and carriageway, a full road closure is required.

Highways says drivers “are advised to allow a little extra time for their journeys”, with local traffic being diverted via the A4136 to Longhope and the B4224 to rejoin the A40.

HGVs and through traffic will be diverted via the A417 to Bromsbarrow and the M50 to Ross-on-Wye.

National Highways Project Manager Adrian Simon said: “We appreciate roadworks are frustrating but we are carrying out this essential and complex repair work under a full daytime closure to minimise disruption and to ensure we complete within six months, and earlier if possible.

“We’ve been communicating with local businesses, we appreciate the HGV diversion route will take a little longer but surrounding local roads are unsuitable.

“We’re also working closely with residents to ensure access to property is maintained and the impact of noise, vibration and dust is kept to a minimum, and we thank all drivers in advance for their co-operation and patience.”