GLOUCESTERSHIRE Highways have apologised in a Tweet for temporary traffic light problems on the A46 junction at Pitchcombe.

The improvement works started at the A4173/A46 junction near Stroud on Monday.

Drivers reported that the lights were not changing for ten minutes at a time.

Tweeting from Glos Roads yesterday, the post read: "We're sorry for the traffic disruption at Pitchcombe this morning.

"We've been talking to our contractors to address the issue.

"Three way traffic lights are in place for safety and we'll continue to monitor traffic closely."

One person replied today: "It was even worse this morning so whatever you did didn’t work. Standstill for 15 minutes at 7.40am."

Highways contractors will be working at the junction over the next few months, changing it to a “give way T-junction” with right turn lane on the A46, and adding better street lighting and signs.

Crews will also be putting in “toad pods” to assist local wildlife groups during the toad migration season.

The works are estimated to finish in early spring 2020.

There will be three-way traffic lights in place 24/7 throughout the whole scheme duration for the safety of road users and the workforce.

The work at this key junction form part of the wider A4173 safety improvements package.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways said: “I’m pleased to see work starting on this problem junction.

"The county council has spent many months making improvements to the road to reduce the risk of collisions, and this is the final piece of the Pitchcombe puzzle.”

Keith Rippington, county councillor for Bisley and Painswick, said: “This is a major route for visitors and commuters between Stroud and Gloucester, so I’m pleased to see the road will stay accessible for most of the scheme.

"These improvements are vital, however as with any road works, there may be delays, so please plan your journeys.”

The junction has a long record of collisions and near misses and, whilst some works have already been implemented to improve safety, it has remained a concern for the local parish councils, residents and commuters alike.