Road closure was delayed 'because of grazing cows'

Major work to fix subsidence on a road near Stroud was delayed because of concerns the disruption would affect cows grazing nearby.

Ongoing ground movement has caused cracks to appear in the road surface of the A419 at Cowcombe Hill near Chalford.

Gloucestershire County Council said it had originally planned to begin the work sooner but people in the area had raised concerns about the impact of major construction work on grazing cattle.

The plan was changed as a result, with the road now due to shut for 11 days from 29 September to 9 October for ground investigations to take place, the council said. The main construction phase was due to get under way in November.

The council said it was essential for monitoring of the ground conditions to continue following extreme heat over the summer.

Advance notice of traffic management arrangements will be given to residents, the council said.

The aim of the work was to stabilise the hillside and underlying ground, prevent further damage to the road and improve the long-term resilience of the route, it said.

Mark Harris, cabinet member for highways, said action was needed to protect "this important section of the network and reduce the risk of further deterioration".

He said: "The information gathered will help us finalise a long-term solution that will improve the resilience of the route for years to come."

The council said it would work with residents and businesses to minimise disruption where possible.

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