A KEY road in Stroud was shut for several days after a sinkhole suddenly appeared.

The hole, which emerged on Rodborough Hill last Tuesday, was discovered during an ongoing resurfacing project.

As a result, highway officials from Gloucestershire County Council shut the entire road for the ‘safety’ of the public.

The route eventually reopened on Saturday afternoon.

Elsewhere in the area, parts of Butterow Hill and Butterow Lane will be closed for work from today, Monday, November 4 to December 13.

Rodborough county councillor John Bloxsom has praised the highway’s team.

“The hole opposite Rodborough Community Primary School opened up last Tuesday and caused Rodborough Hill to be closed,” he said.

“Resurfacing continued on either side of the road closure, with the hole being filled in on Thursday and the resurfacing of that section done on Friday.

“All of Rodborough Hill reopened on Saturday afternoon.

“The task that remains is to complete the lining on The Butts. I have asked for an update on when this will be done.

“Traffic will need to be managed safely when this is done, as drivers are now being diverted along Rodborough Hill due to closure of sections of both Butterow Hill and Butterow Lane.

“It has been great to see how efficiently the construction team worked hard to overcome the delay caused by the hole and a relief that the work took place as planned in half term week.”

The sinkhole outside Rodborough Primary on Rodborough Hill. Picture by Fred Chance