A TORRENT of liquid mud which spewed across the main A466 road between Redbrook and Bigsweir means it may be no-go to traffic for up to a month.
"It is absolutely huge – I estimate there is about 2,000 tons of mud to shift," said Forest of Dean Divisional Surveyor Rob Peacey.
"It has been moving from the higher ground to one side of the road and in places it is so wet that it is practically liquid.
"Unfortunately it looks as though we will be in trouble if we simply clear the road because the material behind will be free to run down too.
"There are a lot of trees and bushes in the held-back material too which needs a specialist to cut down and remove before we can start work.
"Unfortunately it doesn't look as if much progress can be made until well into January. "We are discussing the matter with the landowner and we have called in consultants to find the best way to tackle it. It looks as if a retaining wall might have to be built in this case."
The mud had started to move last Tuesday. More rain might also worsen the situation.
"The land in the area has slipped before but not to this extent," said Mr Peacey.
"We have now had to make a complete road closure."