TRADERS in Drybrook and the surrounding area fear the whole community is dying on its feet after being virtually cut off from through-traffic by a landslip blocking the main artery.

Hawthorn Road near the Euroclydon nursing home has been affected by the landslip since November and although it has been open to one-way traffic for a period, it is now firmly shut, with no apparent timescale for return to normality.

The position is complicated, says Trevor Griffiths, who heads Over­brook Garage employing 23 people – there is a massive rock to stabilise and a gas main running through the road cutting is also believed to be in danger.

"This is a main route connecting the Forest to the A40 Ross road and on to the M50," he says.

"Its closure has curtailed all passing traffic through the village of Drybrook which has had a massive impact on fuel and shop sales as well as the number of MoTs being booked.

"Drybrook is one of only a few villages in the Forest that still supports several small businesses and this is due in no small measure to the level of through-traffic.

"With businesses struggling in the current economic climate, this additional loss of income could quite easily be the final straw."

Trevor has written to the chief of County Highways asking for something to be done about the situation and pointing out that once trade has been lost it is hard to build it up again.

His sentiments are echoed by the landlords of the Wonky Donkey pub at Bailey End, Helen and Don Russell, who say they too have been hit hard because of the lack of passing trade which makes up a lot of their business.

"Not only that – traffic trying to take a long way round the blockage is making a great deal of mess as lorries try to squeeze past each other or turn around. Several have been stuck," said Helen.

"Trade is hard to come by at this time of year, not to mention the financial situation."

Brian Watkins, Gloucestershire Local Highways manager, said: "We are preparing a design for the reconstruction of the embankment and will look to carry out the work as soon as possible. We are aware that this closure is having an impact on local businesses and an inconvenience for motorists who have to divert around this closure.

"However there is a lot of work involved and it is likely that the road will remain closed for several months."