MOTORISTS were stopped in their tracks on Monday after they found that the Lydney library exit from the Bream Road car park had a barrier in place.

The car park behind the library has been used as a short-cut for drivers to get onto Hills Street from the Bream Road, without having to queue in traffic.

The barrier will be in place for six months and is a temporary measure that will be monitored by parish councillors to see what impact it has on drivers and residents alike.

Cllr Brian Robinson, deputy leader and cabinet member for efficient council and planning policy at the Forest Council said: "This suggestion to resolve the problem was made between the land property manager and highways and was taken to the town council who then approved it.

"For some time we have seen drivers misuse the car park as a short route but it is not designed for this purpose. Drivers have been cutting across the car park instead of following the correct route and we fear that at some stage somebody will get hurt.

"There are plans in the long term to change the junction, by looking at perhaps installing traffic lights – but this is some way off."

The Review has been contacted by several people who said there had been chaos on the junction between Bream Road and Hill?Street between 8am and 9am because of the change.

There was no public consultation in the decision to install the barrier as it is a temporary measure.

Forest Council leader Cllr Patrick Molyneaux said: "A public consultation was not held because Lydney town council, who are the eyes and ears of the public, had approved the plan and it is temporary. I would be happy to hear any feedback that people may have."

At a Lydney Town Council meeting on Monday, Cllr Bill Osborne said: "I have received one or two complaints about the barrier but my biggest concern is the safety of the children who are crossing the road there with the aid of a lollipop lady. Drivers too often drive through the car park and the exit takes you directly out onto where children are crossing the road at peak times. I would push forward for highways to put in a pelican crossing to make it safer in conjuction with installing traffic lights at the bottom of Bream Road."