Fed up residents want repairs to end by Christmas

Butterrow Hill has also been closed for the safety of residents

A community in Gloucestershire is appealing for work to repair a collapsed wall outside homes to be speeded up, claiming it is moving at "a snails pace".

Residents have had to park their cars on a nearby steep hill and walk to their homes using a narrow muddy path after repairs began on Butterrow Lane, Rodborough, Stroud, on 4 November.

Claire Penketh, who has lived on the road for more than 20 years, said: "We've had enough. I'm watching elderly people struggling past my house as they head for their cars parked on the hill, hearing from mothers terrified as they navigate to their vehicles with small children."

Gloucestershire County Council apologised to residents for any inconvenience caused.

Work to repair the wall has been going on for six weeks

The work was scheduled for seven weeks after the wall became unstable due to subsidence on the road, but residents say there has been "a lack of communication".

They are concerned that disruption caused by recent storms and a lack of manpower means it may go beyond Christmas.

Claire Penketh says the closure has made people feel uneasy about Christmas

Ms Penketh added: "Every time you go on a weekly shop, it's an expedition.

"We need more workers drafted in, and faster progress to finish this on time, if not sooner, as it's making our usually cheerful community pretty miserable."

Residents have also raised concerns about drivers ignoring road closure signs on Butterrow Hill, which has also been shut off to allow people to park their cars.

Councillor Alick Miskin said up to 50 cars are parking on Butterrow Hill

Alick Miskin, a local parish councillor for Rodborough, said while locals could use the hill, others were just driving straight through.

"It is the people that don't live here that go at some speed, particularly between 4.40pm to 6.30pm. That's when kids are getting back from school and getting out of cars, so it's a bit dangerous."

A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson said: "We would like to apologise to residents for any inconvenience these works have caused.

"The repairs will be completed on Friday 20 December, when Butterow Lane and Butterow Hill will reopen. This particular wall has required a highly specialised repair and our engineers have made every effort to ensure the structure is repaired properly.

"We have worked closely with residents when arranging the works to mitigate any possible disruption, and have done everything we can to ensure this essential repair is completed as quickly as possible.

"We would also like to remind motorists not to ignore road closure signs, as this puts yourself and others at risk."