THE closure of busy road near Ross-on-Wye lasting more than two weeks is going to lead to “gridlock and mayhem”, according to residents.

Gloucestershire County Council has planned the closure of the B4221 between Ross-on-Wye and Newent for drainage work to go ahead between August 16 and September 3.

The road will be closed from Oxenhall Turn to Conigree Road and traffic coming from Gloucester will be diverted towards Dymock at the traffic lights in Newent.

But resident Len Lawton says many people who know the roads or drivers with sat-navs will try and use a shortcut which will clog the narrow country lanes.

He has called for highways officers to revisit their plans and include road signs in nearby lanes which say they are not suitable for heavy goods vehicles.

OTHER NEWS:

Mr Lawton said: “What I’m asking for is somebody to come and look at this with an educated eye.

“There’s going to be mayhem. If anyone who is driving a truck that comes up against those diversion signs uses their sat nav, it will redirect them via the shortest point. Which will mean a tiny loop.

“The council’s diversion is incredibly long and it is something drivers are unlikely to want to use if they have half an inkling of what goes in the area.

“They will ignore it and all these lanes will become gridlocked.

“We get trucks down here because they are using sat-navs. We know from experience this is what is going to happen.

“We could do with signs saying unsuitable for HGVs to put them off.”

OTHER NEWS:

​Andrew Middlecote, highways manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said the works were essential and apologised for any inconvenience it will cause.

“This road closure is to allow for essential drainage works to take place.

“We apologise for any inconvenience it will cause and appreciate the patience of residents and road users while the work is carried out.

“The diversion route uses roads that are suitable for heavier vehicles, such as HGVs and buses, and will be signposted.

“There will also be a number of signs in place to warn motorists in advance of the road closure.”