Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Forest Road closed?
Forest Road is closed so that essential ground stabilisation work can be completed safely.
The closure protects road users and provides the space required for specialist equipment to operate within a constrained working area.
Why has the closure been extended?
Additional ground movement was identified at Site 1a and Site 2 while work was underway at the original landslip location.
Monitoring showed increasing cracking and subsidence at both locations, meaning further stabilisation was required before the road could safely reopen.
How serious is the additional ground movement?
Monitoring showed that the affected areas had continued to deteriorate:
- 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 it was first identified in November 2023 to around 110 metres by July 2026.
The additional stabilisation work is required before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic.
When is Forest Road expected to reopen?
The road is currently expected to reopen in summer 2027.
This remains subject to ground conditions and construction progress.
Has the original landslip been repaired?
The principal stabilisation work at the original landslip, known as Site 1, has been completed.
Some minor kerbing, verge, surfacing and finishing work remains.
Why can’t the road reopen between the different phases?
The additional locations require major stabilisation work involving specialist piling equipment and reconstruction of the highway.
Completing the locations as one coordinated programme avoids reopening the road under temporary traffic signals and then requiring another major closure to complete the additional work.
Will the road reopen under temporary traffic signals?
The intention is to complete the identified stabilisation work before the road reopens, rather than reopen the route under temporary traffic signals and return later for further major work.
What are the benefits of completing all the work together?
Completing the work as one coordinated programme will:
- address the identified areas of ground instability;
- reduce the risk of a further major closure;
- avoid reopening the road before closing it again;
- make effective use of the specialist equipment and site setup already in place; and
- provide a safer and more resilient route for the future.
Why is Forest Road closed?
Forest Road is closed so that essential ground stabilisation work can be completed safely.
The closure protects road users and provides the space required for specialist equipment to operate within a constrained working area.
Why has the closure been extended?
Additional ground movement was identified at Site 1a and Site 2 while work was underway at the original landslip location.
Monitoring showed increasing cracking and subsidence at both locations, meaning further stabilisation was required before the road could safely reopen.
How serious is the additional ground movement?
Monitoring showed that the affected areas had continued to deteriorate:
- 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 it was first identified in November 2023 to around 110 metres by July 2026.
The additional stabilisation work is required before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic.
When is Forest Road expected to reopen?
The road is currently expected to reopen in summer 2027.
This remains subject to ground conditions and construction progress.
Has the original landslip been repaired?
The principal stabilisation work at the original landslip, known as Site 1, has been completed.
Some minor kerbing, verge, surfacing and finishing work remains.
Why can’t the road reopen between the different phases?
The additional locations require major stabilisation work involving specialist piling equipment and reconstruction of the highway.
Completing the locations as one coordinated programme avoids reopening the road under temporary traffic signals and then requiring another major closure to complete the additional work.
Will the road reopen under temporary traffic signals?
The intention is to complete the identified stabilisation work before the road reopens, rather than reopen the route under temporary traffic signals and return later for further major work.
What are the benefits of completing all the work together?
Completing the work as one coordinated programme will:
- address the identified areas of ground instability;
- reduce the risk of a further major closure;
- avoid reopening the road before closing it again;
- make effective use of the specialist equipment and site setup already in place; and
- provide a safer and more resilient route for the future.
What is happening at Site 1a?
Specialist sheet piles are being installed to stabilise the embankment.
Once piling is complete, the carriageway and verge will be reconstructed and the remaining highway work will be undertaken.
What is happening at Site 2?
Vegetation is being cleared in stages, with ecological oversight during the initial work.
The area will then be prepared so that the specialist piling team can move from Site 1a to Site 2.
What is sheet piling?
Sheet piling involves installing interlocking steel sections into the ground to support and stabilise the highway embankment.
Why is vegetation being removed?
Vegetation needs to be removed to provide safe access to the embankment and allow the stabilisation work to take place.
The initial clearance at Site 2 is being undertaken with an ecologist present.
Is the work being affected by bad weather?
No weather-related delays were reported for the latest reporting period.
Future progress will continue to depend on site, weather and ground conditions.
Who is carrying out the work?
The stabilisation programme is being delivered by Gloucestershire County Council and its contractor, Montel Civil Engineering.
How are environmental impacts being managed?
The Construction Environmental Management Plan has been reviewed and updated to include Sites 1a and 2.
Vegetation clearance at Site 2 is being planned and undertaken with ecological oversight.
How will I be kept informed?
Updates will be published on the Forest Road project webpages as the work progresses.
Who can I contact about the construction work?
For questions or concerns relating to the construction work, please email forestroad@montel-group.com.
What is happening at Site 1a?
Specialist sheet piles are being installed to stabilise the embankment.
Once piling is complete, the carriageway and verge will be reconstructed and the remaining highway work will be undertaken.
What is happening at Site 2?
Vegetation is being cleared in stages, with ecological oversight during the initial work.
The area will then be prepared so that the specialist piling team can move from Site 1a to Site 2.
What is sheet piling?
Sheet piling involves installing interlocking steel sections into the ground to support and stabilise the highway embankment.
Why is vegetation being removed?
Vegetation needs to be removed to provide safe access to the embankment and allow the stabilisation work to take place.
The initial clearance at Site 2 is being undertaken with an ecologist present.
Is the work being affected by bad weather?
No weather-related delays were reported for the latest reporting period.
Future progress will continue to depend on site, weather and ground conditions.
Who is carrying out the work?
The stabilisation programme is being delivered by Gloucestershire County Council and its contractor, Montel Civil Engineering.
How are environmental impacts being managed?
The Construction Environmental Management Plan has been reviewed and updated to include Sites 1a and 2.
Vegetation clearance at Site 2 is being planned and undertaken with ecological oversight.
How will I be kept informed?
Updates will be published on the Forest Road project webpages as the work progresses.
Who can I contact about the construction work?
For questions or concerns relating to the construction work, please email forestroad@montel-group.com.
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