CONCERNS have been raised over the impact the planned road closures for the A40 near Gloucester will have as motorists face a 40-mile diversion.

National Highways will be carrying out the vital repairs Over Bridge, which carries the dual carriageway across the river and links with Ross-on-Wye, over the next eight months.

The first overnight closures began this week on the route which is vital for many commuters and sees around 5,000 vehicles an hour during peak times.

The A40 closed overnight on Monday, June 29, between 8pm and 6am) between the Over roundabout and Highnam roundabout for the installation of traffic management, with traffic diverted via the A417, A449 and A40.

And from today, Wednesday July 1, the overtaking lane will be closed in both directions to enable works to the central barrier and the eventual installation of a contraflow later in the summer.

The dedicated slip road from the A417 Over Causeway to the A40 Westbound will remain closed for the duration of the works.

Terry Robinson, the engineering lead for National Highways in the South West, said: “Many of the motorways and major A roads we manage were built around 60 years ago and need renewing to ensure they remain fit for purpose for generations to come.

“The A40 at Over is now in need of significant work, which is vital to keep drivers safe and the route running into the future.

“We’re expecting this work to cause delays in the area during this complex scheme and we’re advising users to plan their journeys and use alternative routes where possible, especially during peak hours.”

Having been built in the 1970s, the £7m investment will extend the life of the bridge and reduce the risk of unplanned closures for emergency maintenance work in the future, delivering a more resilient and more reliable route for local communities, businesses and freight.