ROADWORKS that were scheduled to be started by British Telecom this Friday in Broad Street, Littledean, may well be suspended – if they have not been completed in advance of the resurfacing work on the A48.

Slated to be completed by October 17, the company has now been told that it must complete the work before the closure of the main Gloucester to Chepstow road, because Littledean is on the diversion route around the much anticipated main road closure.

BT had planned to close one carriageway of Broad Street – Littledean's 'high street' – and put in two way traffic lights to control the flow of traffic in both directions.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council told the Review: "The works that BT are carrying out in Littledean are part of the roll-out of rural broadband, and while that development is a priority, we are aware that this road work and traffic control could potentially cause problems on the diversion route itself.

"With that in mind, we have asked he contractors to finish the work before the A48 closures come into place.

He added: "It is not often that we have to change a schedule or instruct contractors, but with the maintenance of the A48, it was felt that the diversion route must be kept as clear as possible."

•Stagecoach is to operate a special shuttle service serving Blakeney and Newham during next week's road closures.

In the early morning and late evening, the Service 23 will operate as normal but during the day journeys departing from Gloucester will serve all bus stops to Elton corner then run non-stop along Speech House Road to Coleford Square. Journeys will then continue to Lydney bus station serving all bus stops. A separate bus will operate between Lydney bus station and Broadoak Silver Fox cafe serving all bus stops. A bus from the café to Lydney bus station will serve all stops but passengers will need to change buses. From the station to Coleford Square all bus stops will be served then journeys onwards to Elton Corner will operate non-stop along the Speech House Road. Between Elton and Gloucester will resume as normal.

On October 12 and 13 Service 23 will operate to the normal timetable as that phase of the road works will reopen. Details of the route during the next second phase from October 14 is available from buses seven days before.

Some school services will leave 15 minutes earlier in the morning or be served by a minibus picking up at revised locations. School pupils are being informed of any amended services directly by their bus operator and school.

Concerned commuters can find full details of the new bus services at http://www.stagecoachbus.com">www.stagecoachbus.com