During construction and ongoing monitoring of Forest Road, additional areas of ground instability were identified beyond the original landslip location. Engineering assessments have confirmed that these areas require stabilisation works before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic. As a result, the closure is expected to remain in place until Summer 2027, subject to ground conditions and construction progress.
Forest Road, Lydney
Watch a short video about the project here! - Forest Road Lydney
B4234 Forest Road, Lydney: Road Closure Extended to Complete Essential Stabilisation Works
Gloucestershire County Council are extending the current road closure on the B4234 Forest Road between Whitecroft and Lydney to allow additional essential ground stabilisation works to be completed safely and efficiently.
The extended closure is expected to remain in place until summer 2027, subject to ongoing ground conditions and construction progress.
The decision follows recent inspections and ongoing monitoring, which have identified additional areas of ground movement along the B4234. While work was underway at the original landslip location, further deterioration was discovered at two additional sites. These areas now require essential ground stabilisation works before the road can safely reopen.
Taking the Opportunity to Complete All Necessary Works
We recognise that the continued closure of Forest Road is challenging for residents, businesses and road users. However, the discovery of these additional issues now provides an opportunity to address these areas of ground instability in a single, coordinated programme of work.
By carrying out the additional essential repairs now, while the road is already closed and specialist teams and equipment are on site, the Council can avoid reopening the route under temporary traffic signals before having to return for further major works at a later date under full road closure. This approach minimises the longer-term impact on the community and will deliver a better outcome for everyone who relies on Forest Road.
Delivery benefits:
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Deliver necessary stabilisation works through one coordinated programme.
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Avoid the need to reopen the road under temporary two-way traffic signals at multiple locations.
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Reduce the risk of a future road closure.
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Make best use of the current site set-up and specialist resources already in place.
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Improve long-term safety and resilience along the route.
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Provide a more durable solution for this important connection between Whitecroft and Lydney.
Background
Following a landslip in November 2023, temporary traffic signals were installed to keep Forest Road open while a permanent engineering solution was developed.
In February 2026, the road was fully closed to enable remediation works to begin at the original landslip site.
The works at Site 1 progressed well and have been completed ahead of time, demonstrating good progress on the original repair programme.
Progression of Ground Movement
During mobilisation and further detailed inspections, additional deterioration was identified at Site 2 and at a newly identified failure area, Site 1a. Ongoing monitoring has since shown accelerated increases in cracking and subsidence at both locations, confirming that further intervention is required before the road can safely reopen:
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At Site 1a, cracking has increased from approximately 15 metres in February 2026 to around 45 metres by July 2026.
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At Site 2, cracking has increased from approximately 6 metres when first identified in November 2023 to around 110 metres by July 2026.
This rapid deterioration reinforces the importance of undertaking the additional stabilisation works now, ensuring the route can reopen with greater confidence in its long-term resilience.
Delivering a Safer, More Reliable Route
Safety remains the Council's top priority. Current engineering assessments show that further stabilisation is required before the road can reopen to unrestricted traffic.
Completing the newly identified works alongside the original repair scheme will allow Gloucestershire County Council and its contractor, Montel Civil Engineering, to address the wider ground stability issues affecting this section of Forest Road in a comprehensive and efficient way.
Rather than introducing temporary traffic management and returning for further closures, this approach will provide a stronger, more resilient and reliable route for local communities and road users.
Thank You for Your Patience
We understand the impact the closure is having on local journeys, residents and businesses, and we would like to thank the community for its continued patience and cooperation.
While extending the closure now means a longer period of disruption in the short term, it allows the additional issues to be addressed at once, helping to avoid temporary traffic signals and further major works. This proactive approach will deliver the best long-term outcome for residents, businesses and everyone who uses Forest Road.
Gloucestershire County Council and Montel Civil Engineering will continue to provide updates as the project progresses on this project web page. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction works, please contact forestroad@montel-group.com
During construction and ongoing monitoring of Forest Road, additional areas of ground instability were identified beyond the original landslip location. Engineering assessments have confirmed that these areas require stabilisation works before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic. As a result, the closure is expected to remain in place until Summer 2027, subject to ground conditions and construction progress.
Whilst works were underway at the original landslip site, further deterioration was identified at two additional locations, known as Site 1a and Site 2. Ongoing monitoring has shown continued ground movement, cracking and subsidence at both locations, confirming that further intervention is required.
Whilst works were underway at the original landslip site, further deterioration was identified at two additional locations, known as Site 1a and Site 2. Ongoing monitoring has shown continued ground movement, cracking and subsidence at both locations, confirming that further intervention is required.
Monitoring has shown significant progression in ground movement at both locations:
- At Site 1a, cracking increased from approximately 15 metres in February 2026 to around 45 metres by July 2026.
- At Site 2, cracking increased from approximately 6 metres when first identified in November 2023 to around 110 metres by July 2026.
The rate of deterioration has reinforced the need to undertake additional stabilisation works before reopening the road
Monitoring has shown significant progression in ground movement at both locations:
- At Site 1a, cracking increased from approximately 15 metres in February 2026 to around 45 metres by July 2026.
- At Site 2, cracking increased from approximately 6 metres when first identified in November 2023 to around 110 metres by July 2026.
The rate of deterioration has reinforced the need to undertake additional stabilisation works before reopening the road
Yes. The main repairs required to address the original landslip have now been successfully completed. This represents a significant milestone in improving the long-term stability of Forest Road. The extended closure relates to additional instability identified at other locations along the route.
Yes. The main repairs required to address the original landslip have now been successfully completed. This represents a significant milestone in improving the long-term stability of Forest Road. The extended closure relates to additional instability identified at other locations along the route.
Reopening the road before the additional stabilisation works are completed would require temporary traffic management and could lead to further major works and disruption at a later date.
By carrying out all identified repairs now, Gloucestershire County Council can complete the necessary works through a single coordinated programme and provide a more resilient route for the future.
Reopening the road before the additional stabilisation works are completed would require temporary traffic management and could lead to further major works and disruption at a later date.
By carrying out all identified repairs now, Gloucestershire County Council can complete the necessary works through a single coordinated programme and provide a more resilient route for the future.
Completing the works under one programme will:
- Deliver all necessary stabilisation works in a coordinated way.
- Reduce the risk of future road closures.
- Avoid reopening the route under temporary traffic signals before returning for further major works.
- Make best use of the specialist equipment and resources already on site.
- Improve long-term safety and resilience.
- Provide a more durable road connection between Whitecroft and Lydney.
Completing the works under one programme will:
- Deliver all necessary stabilisation works in a coordinated way.
- Reduce the risk of future road closures.
- Avoid reopening the route under temporary traffic signals before returning for further major works.
- Make best use of the specialist equipment and resources already on site.
- Improve long-term safety and resilience.
- Provide a more durable road connection between Whitecroft and Lydney.
Yes. Safety remains Gloucestershire County Council's highest priority. Current engineering assessments indicate that further stabilisation works are required before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic.
Yes. Safety remains Gloucestershire County Council's highest priority. Current engineering assessments indicate that further stabilisation works are required before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic.
The road is currently expected to remain closed until Summer 2027. This remains subject to ongoing ground conditions and construction progress.
The road is currently expected to remain closed until Summer 2027. This remains subject to ongoing ground conditions and construction progress.
Gloucestershire County Council and Montel Civil Engineering will continue to provide updates on this project webpage as the scheme progresses.
For questions regarding the construction works, please contact:
forestroad@montel-group.com
Gloucestershire County Council and Montel Civil Engineering will continue to provide updates on this project webpage as the scheme progresses.
For questions regarding the construction works, please contact:
forestroad@montel-group.com
The aim of undertaking the additional works now is to avoid reopening the road under temporary two-way traffic signals at multiple locations and subsequently having to return for further major works.
The aim of undertaking the additional works now is to avoid reopening the road under temporary two-way traffic signals at multiple locations and subsequently having to return for further major works.
The project is being funded by Gloucestershire County Council and the Department for Transport.
The project is being funded by Gloucestershire County Council and the Department for Transport.
These funds are specifically allocated for projects of this type and are not available for routine road maintenance.
These funds are specifically allocated for projects of this type and are not available for routine road maintenance.
Yes, site survey work has been carried out to assess potential environmental impacts, and the scheme is being designed to take these into account. The environmental assessment will consider all the potential environmental impacts of the scheme and recommend how these can be alleviated.
Yes, site survey work has been carried out to assess potential environmental impacts, and the scheme is being designed to take these into account. The environmental assessment will consider all the potential environmental impacts of the scheme and recommend how these can be alleviated.
As part of the construction tender process, we will set out requirements for methods of working. This will set out the approach to minimise and mitigate the impacts of noise/pollution etc. during the construction period.
As part of the construction tender process, we will set out requirements for methods of working. This will set out the approach to minimise and mitigate the impacts of noise/pollution etc. during the construction period.