Disruption as 'chaotic' roadworks continue

A section of the A38 in Gloucester has been reduced to one lane since June

"Chaotic" roadworks are causing major disruption for some residents and businesses.

Work on the A38 by Hunts Grove, in Gloucester, has resulted in motorists driving down lanes "not designed for high levels of traffic", concerned residents have said.

This has led to "chaotic queues, fences being damaged, verges driven over and crashes", residents added.

Gloucestershire County councillor Joe Harris apologised for the disruption, adding he will lobby the government for more support to help the authority tackle traffic issues.

The roadworks are expected to remain in place until October 31, as developer Crest Nicholson upgrades access to support its new 620-home estate.

During the works, the road has been reduced to a single lane, and last week the route was closed in both directions overnight.

Local resident Andy Clarke told BBC Radio Gloucestershire he has only used his car six times since the roadworks started in June and has been buying online rather than visiting shops.

He said: "The lanes are not designed for this amount of traffic.

"In peak times the whole area is just chaos."

He added that since June, thousands of vehicles have been using Pound Lane which has caused major disruption.

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson said the project will be finished by "early December".

They added the scheme will "deliver a new signalised junction and an upgraded flyover carrying two-way traffic".

Roadworks in Nailsworth led to "knock on effects" for businesses

Tony Davey, chair of Love Nailsworth, which represents retailers in the town which has been hit by multiple road closures this year, said the issues are having "knock-on effects".

"Another five days really hits our local economy," he said.

"If there are funding issues we don't understand why other councils are doing things so much better than we're finding here in our county."

'Chaos or real disruption'

Councillor Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways on the county council, said he appreciates it has caused issues for residents.

"We're local people as well. It doesn't serve us to create a situation where there's chaos or real disruption.

"These works are being done by a local developer, highways give the permit for that but we work under strict government guidelines and regulations.

"Where the county council have been at fault, or perhaps we haven't been as robust as looking at some of these issues and perhaps that's caused issues, of course I apologise," he said.

He plans to write to the Department for Transport to seek advice around dealing with practical issues the county has experienced.