CONCERNED residents are 'carefully watching' the work to repair the Drybrook cutting, amid fears that recent work on the road has been damaged by the recent storms and heavy rain.

They have also claimed that a recent letter sent out by the Gloucestershire highways department of the county council has been sent out without an on site assessment of the damage – meaning that the projected completion date for the work would by in error.

In the letter, signed by local highways manager Brian Watkins, he wrote: "Towards the end of November we commenced preliminary works to the embankment and also improvements to the existing highway, this work has now been completed. We have also appointed a contractor to undertake the geotechnical repairs required to stabilise the embankment, this work will start week commencing Monday January 6 and we expect it to be completed and the road open to traffic during February 2014, the actual date will be dependent on how the work progresses and weather conditions."

However, residents claim that the kerbs which have been put in to stabilise the verges, have been damaged by recent rain, which has also further damaged the road surface itself.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Review: "I do think they should have thought a bit before they sent that letter out to the residents here in Drybrook. It is just wildly optimistic to think that they are going to get this road back open again in the time they say, considering the terrible weather that we are having.

"Also, the forecast for the rest of this month, and into next month, is for pretty much more of the same - storms and heavy rain - so at least they have covered themselves against that by saying that the work is dependent on the weather behaving itself."

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council told the Review: "The vital geotechnical works are expected to be completed in February.

"Progress on the road was held back by the nature of the slip – which reaches 100 feet below the road, and is next to a high pressure gas main serving 14,000 homes in the Forest of Dean."

Anyone wishing to check on the progress of the roadworks can find information at www. gloucestershire. gov.uk/drybrooklandslip