SAFETY improvements have been completed on a dangerous stretch of road in Stonehouse.

The top of the high street was closed from Tuesday to Friday last week while safety, drainage and road surface improvements were carried out on the B4008 Gloucester Road between the petrol station by the railway bridge and Horsemarling Lane.

Improvements should reduce speed on the approach to the Oldends Lane junction while pedestrians will benefit from a new raised crossing point at the existing signals near Woodcock Lane.

Three new speed cushions have been put in just north of Meadow Road to slow traffic on the approach to Oldends Lane and visibility on leaving Oldends Lane has been improved.

In addition, a new lay-by on the opposite side of the road will help maintain two-way traffic.

Drainage improvements have been made near the Grosvenor Road junction and a new road surface will be laid along sections of the B4008 later this year.

Dan Tiffney, local highways manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The B4008 is a busy road and our teams have been here making a series of improvements to make it safer for pedestrians and drivers."

Residents have campaigned for several years for improvements to be made to the B4008 between Stonehouse and junction 12 of the M5 following a number of accidents.

County councillor Lesley Williams (Lab, Stonehouse) said: "This resurfacing work and measures to reduce speed have been of concern to residents for some time so I hope this scheme will address their concerns."