Residents 'trapped like prisoners' by roadworks

People living on a housing estate near Gloucester say they feel "trapped" by roadworks which can turn a 30-minute journey into a four-hour round trip.

Work to build a junction connecting the Hunts Grove estate to the A38 bypass began in the summer and has left people in Quedgeley, Kingsway and Hardwicke facing delays.

"We cannot get to work, go to the shops, go to the doctors or dentists or even leave the road we live on," said resident Rhiannon Bull. "This ultimately means that we are trapped like prisoners."

A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson, the developer building the road, said it recognised the frustration caused by the "necessary work" which is due to end by 20 December.

Ms Bull said things have got worse in the past week and described it as an "absolute nightmare".

"There's only one way in and out of Hunts Grove and since the work began it has taken 40 minutes just to exit the estate," she said.

"This week, to get my son and daughter to their nursery, a journey which would typically take 15 mins, has taken between one-and-a-half and two hours - that's twice a day.

"Often both sides of road are gridlocked and buses can't navigate around the bends. If there's a need for emergency services to come through, an ambulance or if there's a house fire, the likelihood is those vehicles will not get onto the estate".

Andy Clarke, who lives in Hardwicke, said: "One of the most frustrating things is that no-one can do anything about it.

"People have got places to go, they have to go to work, get kids to school, it's just not manageable."

A Crest Nicholson spokesperson said its "absolute priority" is to open the junction ahead of the Christmas break.

"We have been working in close collaboration with Gloucester County Council's highways team and are on track to reopen by 20 December, subject to adverse weather conditions," they added.

"We do recognise the inconvenience these works have caused and we're grateful for residents' continued cooperation. Once completed, these upgrades to the A38 will enable the delivery of more housing and better connectivity for the community."

Councillor Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways on Gloucestershire County Council, thanked residents for their patience.

"It's frustrating for us as a council too," he added. "This is a private developer undertaking this work and we have to let them work on the network."

He said the authority had to "be pragmatic" and recognise it is an upgrade to the road network.

"Hopefully it will be finished as soon as possible," he added.

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