Date: 22nd October 2025
Background:
Residents and motorists in Hardwicke, Quedgeley, Kingsway and the surrounding area are experiencing severe disruption and safety risks due to ongoing roadworks and
poorly managed diversions around the A38 and local lanes. Since June 2025, both groups have repeatedly raised concerns about dangerous traffic conditions, including HGVs breaching weight limits, speeding, blocked emergency access, and inadequate signage. Despite numerous formal complaints and documented incidents, authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive action plan.
The closure of the A38 has diverted thousands of vehicles onto narrow residential roads such as Pound Lane, Green Lane, Church Lane, and Sellars Road, resulting in gridlock, accidents, and threats to public safety. Motorists face long delays and confusion, while residents endure noise, property damage, and restricted access to their homes. Emergency services have also struggled to reach those in need due to the congestion.
Despite direct appeals to councillors and MPs, responses have been limited and progress has been slow. Residents and motorists are now demanding immediate enforcement of traffic restrictions, restoration of safe lane access, clear communication, and a full inquiry into the planning and execution of the roadworks. With traditional engagement failing, the community is increasingly turning to social media and ongoing documentation to hold authorities accountable and push for urgent improvements to safety and traffic management.
Media:
Chaos in Pound Lane, Church Lane, Sellars Road and Green Lane -18th September 2025: https://youtu.be/-4RZ09jfSaY
Radio Glos Interview – 25th September 2025: https://youtu.be/GVsJU2IH-4Y
Damage to Pound Lane – 5th October 2025: https://youtu.be/cQu3adAcmzc
M5 J12 and A38 Queues from the ground – 1st October 2025: https://youtu.be/LKxby3Rly9k
Car in ditch on Pound Lane – 21st October 2025: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tPDes5aanHM
Aerial Shots of the A38 Hunts Grove work and surrounding queues – 21st October 2025: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2237485790050553
Detailed Summary: (first communication at the bottom)
6th November 2025: Drone footage of Pound Lane and A38 chaos along with an AI Song:https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19ZKNuuUBH/
31st October: Glos Article: https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/a38-m5-traffic-nightmare-last-10607934
NB. In this article it states: Crest Nicholson are also continuing to maintain a regular dialogue with the residents. – I am not aware of any meetings let along regular ones!
The developer says they regularly attend parish council meetings and have maintained a highly collaborative approach through the project with parish councillors and the County Council and they are working together to try and minimise disruption. Crest may have had active participation with Hunts Grove who as a parish was not affected by the disruption caused to hardwicke, but had NO contact with Hardwicke Parish Council other than to the Clerks approach for information.
Same day: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c993ggnvg7lo
27 October 2025: Both Glos Live and BBC Radio have been touch with Andy to ask for comment on the latest position.
24 October 2025: Update from Gary Wilson
Yakub has received a response from Obrien’s regarding the left-hand lane for the service on the A38. That have advised that it cannot be opened on safety grounds, as that lane is also for the A38 N/B, and it will create a forced merge on the Roundabout.They have said that even if the lining details were removed, that force of habit and driver frustration from the queuing will still see members of the public attempt the manoeuvre on the roundabout. Gary also provided some dates for a site visit but may need to push out if not convenient.
23 October 2025: POSTIVE NEWS!
Andy received an email from Kevin Lee, Clerk to Hardwicke Parish Council, summarising a recent multi-agency meeting about traffic issues at the A38 Hunts Grove junction. As an immediate step, Pound Lane access from the A38 will be closed during overnight A38 works on Monday 27th October, with effectiveness monitored to guide December plans. GCC Highways helped fast-track the closure notice.
Andy also had a call from Yakub at Gloucestershire Highways and a follow-up email from Gary Wilson offering a face-to-face meeting. Gary also shared the published diversion route which can be seen here which I have roughly calcualted to be a 44 mile diversion taking a minimum of 60 minutes: DIVERSION
Andy responded thanking all three and felt the engagement marked real progress.
22 October 2025:
Frustrated by the lack of response, Andy questioned the viability of the diversion after another incident with a car in the ditch and warned of ongoing dangers. He announced a shift to social media engagement to document and publicise the situation.
17 October 2025:
Andy criticised the lack of accountability for the real-world impact of the works, citing a recent hit-and-run involving a child and ongoing safety risks. He requested direct answers to specific concerns and confirmed plans to document future closures.
16 October 2025:
MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown shared a detailed response from Highways, confirming Crest Nicholson’s responsibility and outlining ongoing reviews and scheduled meetings to address issues.
8 October 2025:
Andy raised further concerns about conflicting closure notices, the viability of the diversion, recurring HGV breaches, and project delays. He urged that future closures preserve resident access and safety.
6 October 2025:
Cllr Harris apologised for delays and confirmed Crest Nicholson’s responsibility for the works, with a target completion date of 19 December 2025. He outlined monitoring measures and promised improved communication and enforcement.
6 October 2025:
Cllr John Perkin criticised the lack of consultation and urgency in the roadworks, confirming that HGVs should not be using local lanes. He visited the site and found no overnight work taking place.
30 September 2025:
Andy followed up with Cllr Harris, sharing videos of road damage and long tailbacks, and indicated he may attend the next Parish Council meeting.
27 September 2025:
Andy supported a proposed public meeting and requested clarification on the official diversion route, monitoring, and working hours. The Parish Clerk offered to arrange a meeting with contractors.
26 September 2025:
Cllr Davies clarified that the works were managed by Crest Nicholson, not the County Council, and listed efforts made so far. MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown confirmed he would write to Highways, and further documentation was shared.
25 September 2025:
Andy was interviewed on Radio Gloucestershire, bringing wider attention to the issue. Cllr Joe Harris, newly aware, invited residents to email him. Drone footage and press releases were shared with officials, showing severe gridlock.
15 September 2025:
A serious incident involving a van highlighted ongoing dangers. Residents reported fights, wildlife deaths, eroded verges, telegraph pole sheered of at base, and blocked emergency access. New overnight A38 closures forced all traffic onto narrow lanes, causing chaos and making emergency access impossible.
27–28 August 2025:
Dash cam footage of congestion near Cross Keys Roundabout was submitted to Cllr Davies, with proposals to reopen coned-off lanes for better access. Davies agreed to raise the issue but no further action was reported.
22 August 2025:
The issue was escalated to MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, with calls for enforcement, signage review, and a public inquiry due to worsening safety risks and infrastructure damage. Andy also urged the Parish Council to extend the traffic strategy to the M5 Junction 12 exit.
25 June 2025:
Cllr Davies acknowledged the issues but offered limited solutions, citing council constraints. The Parish Clerk reported minor improvements, such as repositioned signage and police speed checks, but no formal action plan was provided.
10 June 2025:
Residents and motorists, led by Andy, formally complained to County Councillor Stephen Davies about dangerous traffic conditions on Pound Lane following the closure of Castle Lane and ongoing A38 roadworks. Key concerns included HGVs breaching weight limits, speeding, blocked emergency access, and lack of communication.