National Highways is advising drivers using the A40 near Longhope to plan their journeys and allow extra time ahead of work starting next week to rectify a landslip issue.
Following assessment and survey work to stabilise the landslip on a section of the A40, emergency repair work will start on Sunday, 21st April at 20:00.
Due to concerns the landslip could worsen and cause further instability to the A40, National Highways will soon start the main construction phase of work that will see repairs to the carriageway and safety barriers to allow the road to reopen safely.
In order to complete the repair, the road will be closed between the A4136 Forest Gate junction and the B4224 junction at Lea, overnight and during the day until 06:00 Wednesday, 8th May.
Throughout the duration of the closure, access for residents, businesses and emergency vehicles will remain.
To minimise disturbance to local residents at night, work will be carried out during the daytime only, between 7:30am and 7:30pm.
A clearly signed diversion route will be in place for HGV and local traffic:
- HGVs will be diverted via the A417 and M50;
- Local traffic will be diverted via the A4136 and B4224.
James Coyne, Project Manager for National Highways, said: “Our teams have been working hard to resolve the landslip issue on the A40.
“Temporary traffic signals have been in place for safety reasons while investigations and surveys have been carried out.
“Due to recent prolonged wet weather, and the susceptibility of the landslip to deteriorate under these conditions, emergency repairs are now required to ensure that the landslip doesn’t worsen.
“The works will comprise of repairing the embankment, reinstatement and resurfacing of the carriageway and replacement of the safety barrier.
“We’ve already communicated with residents and local businesses, and we thank motorists in advance for their patience while this essential work is carried out.”