RESIDENTS have expressed their concerns over planned roadworks and travel disruptions in the Woodchester area.

Two set of works are being carried out at the same time and villagers believe this will cause ‘chaos’ on the roads.

A road closure at Selsley Road for bridge repairs (October 28 to November 6) is set to coincide with works by Severn Trent Water, requiring temporary traffic lights on the A46 at Manor Drive (October 26 to November 7).

Iain Dunbar, chairman of Stroud District Road Safety Group, said: “This will cause chaos and frustration for both local residents and other drivers travelling to and from Stroud as traffic tries to filter through narrow roads around south and north Woodchester to avoid delays.”

The group is now calling on Gloucestershire County Council highways department to think again and stagger the works.

“Woodchester Parish Council has contacted the Highways Department asking them to reschedule one or other of the proposed works but their response has been that because the A46 is not a road closure, but is rather temporary traffic lights, there is no diversion in place, so they don’t expect the Selsey Road closure to make any difference,” said Mr Dunbar.

“The key issue is traffic diverting from the road works on the A46 through Woodchester will then find Selsey Road is closed at the same time.

“It will be gridlock.

“We are making a final appeal to Highways to defer one or the other by just a week to avoid this conflict.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: “The closure of Selsley Road and the temporary traffic lights to assist Severn Trent with their water works on the A46 Bath Road will both take place during the school half term to help keep disruption to a minimum.”

Severn Trent commented: “We’ve worked closely with Gloucestershire Highways on when to do the work, and they’ve agreed for us to do the work over the October halfterm holidays when there’s less people using the road to help minimise any traffic disruption.

“We’re really sorry in advance for any inconvenience, but we’ll be doing everything we can to get our work complete and things back to normal as quickly as possible.”