Overview

In this section

1
Overview
2
The works

UPDATE: October 2026

Work is continuing on the B4234 Forest Road between Whitecroft and Lydney to stabilise the highway and address the areas of ground movement identified along the route.

The original repair area, known as Site 1, is complete. Work is now progressing at Site 1a, where sheet piling is being installed to stabilise the embankment. Preparatory work is also taking place at Site 2 so that the specialist piling team can move to this location once work at Site 1a is complete.

The road will remain closed while these essential works are completed. It is currently expected to reopen in summer 2027, subject to ground conditions and construction progress.

Road closure and diversion

The B4234 Forest Road remains closed between Whitecroft and Lydney.

Please follow the signed diversion route and allow additional time for your journey. Access arrangements will continue to be managed throughout the construction period.

Keeping you informed

We understand the impact that the closure is having on residents, businesses and road users. We will continue to provide updates as work progresses.

For questions or concerns relating to the construction works, please contact:

Email: forestroad@montel-group.com

Last reviewed: 08/10/2026

Following a landslip in November 2023, temporary traffic signals were installed to keep Forest Road open while a permanent engineering solution was developed.

The road was fully closed in February 2026 so that stabilisation work could begin at the original landslip location. During mobilisation and further inspections, deterioration was identified at two additional locations, known as Site 1a and Site 2.

Monitoring showed that cracking and subsidence at these locations had increased:

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.

Further stabilisation is therefore required before the road can safely reopen to unrestricted traffic.

The additional stabilisation work is being undertaken while the road is already closed and specialist teams and equipment are on site.

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 under temporary traffic signals before closing it again;
Make effective use of the existing site setup and specialist equipment; and
Provide a safer and more resilient route between Whitecroft and Lydney.