Important repairs are anticipated to double journey instances and trigger main disruption for 9 months from June 2026 to March 2027.
The A40 at Over close to Gloucester is about for roadworks (Picture: Gloucestershire Reside)
Drivers utilizing a UK street may see journey instances double, with issues that bridge repairs may set off 9 months of “main disruption” and site visitors in Gloucestershire. The Over bridge, carrying the twin carriageway of the A40, is an important artery within the street community linking Gloucester and Cheltenham with the Forest of Dean, Ross and Wales.
The route is believed to deal with roughly 5,000 autos an hour at peak instances. Nationwide Highways is about to speculate £7million in important upkeep work on the bridge, which may result in severe disruption.
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Newent Councillor Julia Gooch, third from proper, talking on the well being overview and scrutiny committee at Gloucester Shire Corridor on Might 26, 2026. (Picture: Carmelo Garcia)
The work is about to incorporate concrete repairs, contemporary waterproofing and drainage enhancements, which may lengthen the bridge’s lifespan, stories Gloucestershire Reside
However, vital site visitors delays are anticipated all through the works that are set to get underway subsequent month and run till March 2027. Newent and Taynton Councillor Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents) raised the matter on the well being overview and scrutiny committee after fears that delays may influence native hospitals.
She requested whether or not well being chiefs have been cognisant of the deliberate refurbishment “which is able to trigger main disruption for 9 months and the influence it can have on the Forest of Dean district residents attending medical appointments”.
Cllr Gooch raised the query of whether or not extra hospital appointments for residents dwelling west of the Severn might be relocated to the Forest of Dean.
She mentioned: “That work is because of begin on June 8 and, clearly, I am conscious that it’s going to have an effect on anybody coming throughout from the Forest district into work even. Has any consideration been made to extend capability on the Forest hospital, the place potential?”
Al Sheward, chief working officer at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Basis Belief, confirmed that the belief had begun inspecting the amount of every day site visitors travelling from the Forest of Dean. Mr Sheward mentioned that the problem was being investigated with each sufferers and employees in thoughts.
He defined: “I am conscious that the ambulance service are additionally it as a result of I perceive it’s a single lane street and there are issues with that. We have solely turn out to be conscious of this comparatively not too long ago and have began to do some exploratory work to see what we are able to do with sufferers but additionally our employees as nicely. I perceive it will prolong their journey time or double their journey time.”
The primary roadworks are set to begin on June 29, 2026 till March 2027, using a mix of lane closures, contraflows and a decreased velocity restrict of 30mph. Some in a single day closures can even be vital.
Nationwide Highways mentioned: “We’re anticipating this work to trigger vital delays within the space and advise drivers to plan their journeys upfront. Drivers are suggested to make use of different routes the place potential, particularly throughout peak journey instances.”
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