CONTRACTORS Amey are to close the main A48 road, in daytime, between Blakeney and Lydney for a week, from Monday August 11.

The closure of the road, which is due to resurfacing, will take place from 7.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays. The main focus of the roadworks is the stretch of road between Lensbrook and Purlieu Farm. The road will remain open throughout the weekend of August 16/17.

Bus company Stagecoach has warned that the service 23 bus from Gloucester to Lydney may be delayed due to the diversion. It will resume the 23 service on its normal route each day, once it has been notified that the road has reopened.

The diversion for drivers will run from Blakeney to Viney Hill, Yorkley, Yorkley Lane, Allaston and Primrose Hill.

A Primrose Hill resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Review: "Having the extra traffic and buses coming up and down Primrose Hill is bound to cause problems. The road can barely cope with the normal traffic it gets each day – and tempers can get frayed.

"It is a good job they chose to do this during school holidays, or that could have added even more problems."

•Pressure group BetterBuses4ForestofDean has warned that two bus routes that service the Forest are to face major changes. The 35 Monmouth/Ross-on-Wye service is to be axed entirely from September, while there are also plans for timetable cuts to the 24 Lydbrook to Gloucester service. Organisers are preparing a protest lobby against the cuts, with details on 01594 517297, or by email to betterbuses4 [email protected]">[email protected] A petition against the proposed changes to the 24 service has also been started by Mr Bill Wardell of Mitcheldean.