A MAJOR Cinderford road will close for resurfacing from next Wednesday (July 9).

Gloucestershire Highways workmen will begin laying a new surface on Valley Road as part of the county council's 'summer resurfacing programme' to improve journeys for motorists, with completion expected by July 18.

The busy road will be closed from Old Bridge Inn junction to the roundabout, a common route used for hi-artic lorries attempting to reach the Forest Vale Industrial Estate from the west of the Dean.

Road crews will work between 7.30am and 5pm each day and an 'A' road diversion will be in place. People travelling into Cinderford are advised to enter via Steam Mills.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways said: "This is vital road repair work which will significantly improve this well-used road.

"We're extremely grateful for the patience residents have shown us as we carry out improvements like this around the county. I am sure the benefits will far outweigh the inconvenience caused."

It is understood that due to the nature of the road and size of machinery, it is necessary for entire closure with access maintained for emergency services and extremely limited to other vehicles. For this reason, residents have been asked to temporarily park their vehicles outside of the works area, where possible, between the hours of 7.30am and 5pm each day.

Bin collections will continue as normal, and bins should be in place by 7am on the day of collection. 

Local county councilor, Graham Morgan added: "I welcome the resurfacing work for this vital route in the Cindeford and Forest of Dean area. It's deteriorated quite badly due to previous utility works along the road so I'm really pleased the county council is bringing it back to a reasonable standard."

If you have any enquires please call 08000 514514.

•A PRANKSTER in Whitecroft has "modified" a sign notifying when the road will reopen to now read 216 weeks as opposed to its former 16.

Major pipe replacement work has been underway on New Road for almost a year and promises of the road reopening have been continually cancelled.

The sign indicated the road would originally reopen in April, however the latest update from Severn Trent said it would be middle of July. If the joker is right, it is estimated the road will reopen in 2019.