UK traffic chaos as £7m bridge repairs set to double drivers’ commute

Drivers using a UK road could see journey times double, with concerns that bridge repairs could trigger nine months of “major disruption” and traffic in Gloucestershire. The Over bridge, carrying the dual carriageway of the A40, is a vital artery in the road network linking Gloucester and Cheltenham with the Forest of Dean, Ross and Wales.

The route is believed to handle approximately 5,000 vehicles an hour at peak times. National Highways is set to invest £7million in essential maintenance work on the bridge, which could lead to serious disruption.

The work is set to include concrete repairs, fresh waterproofing and drainage improvements, which could prolong the bridge’s lifespan, reports Gloucestershire Live

Nevertheless, significant traffic delays are anticipated throughout the works which are set to get underway next month and run until March 2027. Newent and Taynton Councillor Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents) raised the matter at the health overview and scrutiny committee after fears that delays could impact local hospitals.

She asked whether health chiefs were cognisant of the planned refurbishment “which will cause major disruption for nine months and the impact it will have on the Forest of Dean district residents attending medical appointments”.

Cllr Gooch raised the question of whether more hospital appointments for residents living west of the Severn could be relocated to the Forest of Dean.

She said: “That work is due to start on June 8 and, obviously, I’m aware that it will affect anyone coming across from the Forest district into work even. Has any consideration been made to increase capacity at the Forest hospital, where possible?”

Al Sheward, chief operating officer at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed that the trust had begun examining the volume of daily traffic travelling from the Forest of Dean. Mr Sheward said that the issue was being investigated with both patients and staff in mind.

He explained: “I’m aware that the ambulance service are also looking at it because I understand it is a single lane road and there are complications with that. We’ve only become aware of this relatively recently and have started to do some exploratory work to see what we can do with patients but also our staff as well. I understand it’s going to extend their travel time or double their travel time.”

The main roadworks are set to commence on June 29, 2026 until March 2027, employing a combination of lane closures, contraflows and a reduced speed limit of 30mph. Some overnight closures will also be necessary.

National Highways said: “We’re expecting this work to cause significant delays in the area and advise drivers to plan their journeys in advance. Drivers are advised to use alternative routes where possible, especially during peak travel times.”