London Road in Stroud is set to close for a month

Closures on the A419 London Road, which is pitted with large potholes, are set to last almost a month while a stretch is resurfaced.

The closures will be in place between the Bowbridge crossroads and Cowcombe Hill for around 26 nights between 7pm and 7am, excluding weekends.

Work starts this Tuesday, September 12 and is due to be completed on Tuesday, October 17.

The bulk of the works take place in three sections - one will affect London Road from Toadsmoor Road to Cowcombe Hill roundabout, another will affect the route from the layby north of Brimscombe & Thrupp FC to the Old Neighbourhood and another will run from the Bowbridge crossroads to Brimscombe Lane.

These routes will be closed at different times although there is no fixed schedule yet. 

For motorists who want to travel from Stroud to Cirencester during these hours, there is an official diversion route which goes through Painswick, Brockworth, Colesbourne and North Cerney on the A435 Cheltenham Road. 

Tony Davey, chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade, said: "I am sure I am not alone in welcoming the long-awaited fixes to this road, a road that has deteriorated in surface quality over quite some considerable time.

"Fixing the appalling condition of our road and pavement network is very high on the agenda of the public, and the decline in this public asset that we have suffered has impacted all road users - motorised vehicles and cyclists alike.

"It has caused damage to vehicles, made using the network dangerous and caused injuries. 

"Hopefully we can see the managed decline of the road network reversed and ongoing improvements across our district where it is very much needed."

Chloe Turner, Green Party Stroud district councillor for Minchinhampton said: "This major resurfacing project is welcome but long overdue - for far too long residents and visitors who rely on this key route into Stroud from the east have had to dodge potholes and the erratic driving of others who are doing the same.

"When it comes to the upcoming A419 works, I really hope that residents' needs will be properly considered.

"The night closure is helpful for most and we have had some initial information about how the works will be structured but residents will need as much advance notice as possible about what sections will be worked on when, so that they can plan accordingly."

Dr Simon Opher, Labour parliamentary candidate for the Stroud constituency, said:

"Although these roadworks will cause frustration for motorists, shoppers, students and businesses, the work is long overdue and I welcome the fact that finally our road surfaces will be upgraded.

"Some roads in this constituency are shocking, and, as a regular cyclist, I know how dangerous, as well as irritating, potholes can be."

Councillor Dom Morris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "As part of our investment of over £100 million in the county's roads, we are resurfacing London Road. 

"This will greatly improve the road surface so all road users can enjoy smoother and safer journeys.

"Though we have sought to minimise disruption, we would like to thank residents for their patience for the inevitable inconvenience while these works are being carried out."

Full details, including an official diversion route, can be found at tinyurl.com/2s4cn9yz