RESURFACING and safety work between Hardwicke roundabout and the Claypits junction is on schedule for completion next month.

Gloucestershire County Council has invested nearly £1 million to improve the A38 south of Gloucester and upgrades are currently underway along a 6.5km stretch of this key route.

Six major junctions along this route are being treated with a new hard-wearing surface that can take the stresses imposed by heavy turning movements. The remaining stretch is being treated to seal it and prolong the life of the road.

To help the bedding-in of the surfacing, traffic is being guided by road cones. White lining will be put down towards the end of the work programme, and this has been especially designed to improve the safety of this section of the A38.

The majority of the work, which began in June, has been carried out using traffic lights and a convoy system, but some Sunday closures have been necessary in certain areas due to the nature of the work and the width of the road.

During these closures a diversion route suitable for all vehicle types which need to use ‘A’ class roads will be put in place. Motorists are able to use alternative routes as long as they are suitable for the type of vehicle they are driving.

The work is on schedule for completion by August 31.

Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member for Highways and Flood, said: “This work is part of our priority road repair plans for 2014. I visited the site myself last weekend and I’m very pleased to see these improvements progressing well.

“The A38 is a key stretch of road and this is the largest road maintenance and safety scheme we’ve carried out in recent times, as we continue to invest in the county’s roads. So far 2,980 tonnes of material has been laid on the road, that’s the equivalent of 750 Asian elephants.”

“Staff on site are making every effort to keep disruption to a minimum and I would like to thank local residents and road users for their patience; I’m sure they'll be pleased with the final result.”

For further information please visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/A38 or call 08000 514 514.