Central Lydbrook Wall

Update: 6 January 2026

We are pleased to confirm the damaged parapet will be removed from 16-20 February. The parapet will be taken down to footpath level. Both a ground investigation survey and topography survey will then be completed. This will help us to better understand the local physics. A permit is required from the Coal Authority before we can repair the retaining wall. We have already reached out to the Coal Authority to begin the process of acquiring the necessary permit.

This repair is being managed by the Highways Infrastructure Team. Please contact us on highwaysinfrastructure@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you have any questions and we'll get back to you ASAP. 

Previous updates:

December 2025

We would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we repair this wall. Since our previous update:  

• Traffic management measures have now been installed. These measures are helping to reduce loading on the structure and to protect nearby vehicles from any falling debris.
• Full removal of the parapet on New Road is expected in January 2026. The parapet will be taken down to footpath level. This is required to enable a ground investigation (G.I.) survey to take place. A G.I. survey will help us to understand the local ground conditions.
• A topography survey has been booked for January 2026 - this will provide a much clearer picture of the local physics.
• A detailed ecology survey was completed on 1 October 2025. No ecological constraints were identified. 
• This repair requires a permit from the Coal Authority. We have reached out to the Coal Authority and are hopeful of receiving a permit soon. 

What is happening?

Central Lydbrook wall is a large retaining wall in Lydbrook, Forest of Dean. The wall is approximately 41m in length and supports New Road above the B4234.

The wall is owned by Gloucestershire County Council and now requires urgent structural repairs. Following an assessment on 17 July 2025, our structural engineers identified the following issues:

• Extensive sections of displaced, missing, loose and spalled masonry throughout the structure.
• Extensive sections of missing pointing throughout the structure.
• A 3m section of missing parapet, together with loose masonry across the southern parapet. 

The wall is no longer structurally safe and traffic management measures will be installed shortly. These measures will increase the distance between the wall and passing traffic.

Work plan

We intend to strengthen the wall via soil nailing (drilling horizontal steel bars into the wall to stabilise it). The wall will then be covered by a steel mesh, and then finally covered in concrete.

Next steps

• Installing traffic management measures on site.
• Completing a geotechnical assessment to better understand the local physics.
• Completing an ecological assessment to ensure no wildlife will be harmed during the repair process.

When will the work be complete?

This repair is currently expected in Spring 2026. Further details will be published here when confirmed. In the meantime, please direct any questions to highwaysinfrastructure@gloucestershire.gov.uk.