THE CLOSURE of the A40 near Huntley will not go ahead early in January as planned.

The announcement of the work – which would have closed one of the main roads through the Forest to traffic for 16 weeks from January 5 – prompted an outcry.

But a senior Highways Agency official said there had been "confusion" about the works and nothing would happen until the results of public consultation were analysed.

A public information event held at the Red Lion pub in Huntley was thronged with people as soon as the doors opened as locals looked to get some clarity on what was happening.

Forest MP Mark Harper, who raised concerns with the Highways Agency's south-west regional director Andrew Page-Dove, has welcomed the decision to postpone the works.

The Highways Agency's area manager, Dave Sledge, who was at the event to answer questions, said the purpose was to get the views of local people and businesses.

A letter from contractors Skanska sent to local people had said the road would closed entirely for the duration of the works and they were due to start on Monday, January 5.

Mr Sledge told the Review: "One of the reasons the confusion has come about is that people will see temporary signals on the A40 in Huntley for about two weeks in January.

"The reason for that is that we are going to put trenches so we can look at what is under the road itself.

"We've got a reasonable idea because we put cameras down the drains so we can see what the condition is and we speak to utility companies and they provide us with plans but it is not unusual when you dig up the road to find that it isn't like that at all.

"So we are going to putting some trenches in and then when we've listened to the people who use the road and we've got more information about the road itself we can decide what is the best way of doing these works."

The scheme will see larger drains installed under the road for about 1,000 metres (625 yards) between the junction with the A4136 at Forest Gate and Tithe Farm Lane and improvements to the surface and gullies.

Mr Sledge said: "The road is starting to break up in places. We are not waiting for it to fail – we'd rather go in and do the works in a planned manner rather than having to close the road because it has collapsed."

The options for the work will be to close the road completely or to keep it open but controlled by traffic lights.

Mr Sledge said: "If you close the road you can put a lot of people on the ground, you've got more space to work and you can get it done more quickly.

"Of course it will cause a lot of disruption.

"The other option is to put up temporary signals but you work quite slowly in a confined area and that will take a lot longer.

"Also, if you put up temporary signals and you start getting tailbacks then people will start using roads that are inappropriate."

Forest of Dean district councillor Dave East (Ind, Longhope), who was at the meeting, said: "The problem has been poor communication. People don't know what is happening."

Peter King, the vice-chairman of the Forest of Dean Federation of Small Businesses, said: "It was interesting to see how many businesses attended – even during the short time I was there. 

"There were businesses from Cinderford, Coleford and other areas of the Forest and the ones I spoke to commented about the lack of notice and on the frequency with which this section of road is dug up. 

"We have received notification that the period of notice has been extended and we need to increase the pressure to ensure that the businesses and council taxpayers of Forest of Dean are not seriously disadvantaged yet again."

Mark Harper said: "I am very pleased that the Highways Agency, following my meeting with them have re-thought their original plans. 

"A full closure of the A40 for up to 16 weeks through the winter would have caused real problems for commuters, school children and local businesses.

"I am grateful that Andrew Page-Dove listened to the concerns I raised with him on behalf of my constituents and has taken a sensible decision which I am sure will be widely welcomed.

  "He has also agreed that the Highways Agency will keep me properly briefed on their future plans so that I can raise concerns with them at an early stage."