Village to be cut off for four weeks by roadworks

Landlady Lois Bradburn said the council was not giving consideration to residents or businesses

Roadworks will close the only two routes in and out of a village for four weeks this summer, cutting off residents.

A two-mile stretch of the B4228 through Woodcroft, which is just north of Chepstow in the Forest of Dean, will be closed for resurfacing work from Monday until 21 August.

Residents said they were frustrated by Gloucestershire County Council's suggestion to "plan around" the closure, as it will block off the only two routes in and out of the village.

Joe Harris, the council's cabinet member for highways, said: "We've listened to local concerns and to help reduce the impact we've changed our working hours to 09:00 to 15:00 BST each day."

Roads in and out of Woodcroft will be closed for resurfacing

Villagers and businesses in Woodcroft said they were given only a few weeks of warning about the work.

"We were all very concerned," said Lois Bradburn, manager of The Rising Sun pub.

"The summer holidays are when we expect an increase in trade, with families on holiday in the area."

Ms Bradburn said she received "a blanket response" from the council when she contacted it.

"It didn't appear they were giving consideration to local residents or business," she added.

Nick Evans, Forest of Dean district councillor, said: "I think it utterly fanciful that the county council's roadworks teams will be working over the full two-mile [3.2km] stretch of this closure, every day for a month.

"If the county council had asked local people about this, rather than imposing this blanket closure, we may have been able to help. But they seem totally unwilling to listen to legitimate concerns and are going to press on regardless, leaving local people trapped and frustrated."

Mr Harris said the amended timings of the work should "minimise the overall inconvenience" and said residents were informed in advance.

"It's worth noting that many residents have been calling for this stretch of road to be resurfaced for quite some time and we're pleased to now be delivering this much-needed improvement," he added.

"Pedestrian and emergency service access will be maintained throughout, and a clearly signposted diversion route will be in place."