Date: 22nd October 2025
Background:
Residents and motorists in Hardwicke, Quedgeley, Kingswayn Hunts Grove 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 motrorists and residents 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.
Despite direct appeals to councillors and MPs, responses have been limited and progress has been slow. Residents and motorists are now demanding action, 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 – 25th November 2025: https://youtu.be/EfkMKxx5EDU
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
Latest Progress Aerial shots of A38 Hunts Grove work – Landscape Video: https://ui.la/hgj-vide2 Portrait Video:https://ui.la/hgj-vid4 Photos: https://ui.la/hgj-photo
Detailed Summary: (first communication at the bottom)
10th December: Radio Glos has invited Andy on to Jon’s Breakfast Show at 7am on the 11th December. Apparently there have been numerous compalints from residents and motorists about traffic chaos this morning.
8th December (T-11 days): The Phobic Flyer has documented the current progress of the Hunts Grove Junction work as it’s now 11 days to go until the new junction is open: Landscape Video: https://ui.la/hgj-vide2 Portrait Video:https://ui.la/hgj-vid4 Photos: https://ui.la/hgj-photo
5th December: Andy has expressed deep frustration at the lack of engagement from elected representatives. There has been no further update from Councillor Stephen Davies since 23rd November, nor has the Chair of Hardwicke Parish Council replied (26th November). He further noted that the Parish Council has failed to invite him to any relevant meetings, even though a County Councillor suggested he would be included.
Councillor Joe Harris, who was outspoken during a recent Radio Glos interview in which Andy participated, sent two emails but has remained silent since early October. Similarly, MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton‑Brown initially responded and promised further action, yet Andy has heard nothing since the end of October.
As a result, Andy understands the challenges and his opinion is that the legistlation appears to be in favour of the developers. He has now dismissed all of these elected officials as ineffective in addressing local concerns. The only non elected offical to respond has been Gary Wilson from Gloucestershire Highways, who has engaged directly and taken action to improve safety in the area. Kevin the Clerk to Hardwicke Parish Council has also been invovled as well.
27th November: Andy thanked Gary Wilson from Gloucestershire Highways for taking the time to speak with him and for the swift response following his video. He welcomed the immediate repairs being carried out on Pound and Church Lane, noting they will improve safety for residents. Andy also raised concerns about the lack of authority Highways has once Streetworks issues permits to contractors such as O’Briens, citing delays at the slipway project, but acknowledged Gary’s explanation and confirmed the issue now lies with O’Briens, with options currently under review.
27th November: Gary from Highways responded to Andy’s video, explaining that Pound and Church Lane are inspected quarterly, with additional checks carried out when concerns are raised by the public. Following the video, a reactive inspection identified edge deterioration, and contractors are now repairing the defects under a road closure with resident access maintained, likely needing an extra day to finish. He advised that future issues should be reported via Fix My Street so inspectors can respond promptly outside regular inspection schedules. Andy was extremely pleased with Gary’s response and interest.
26th November: Email sent to HPC advising that emergency service vehicles will not be able to addent incidents on Pound Lane and part of Church Lane during peak periods.
25th November: A further video has been recorded of Pound Lane and part of Chruch Lane showing how much further damage there has been since the Hunts Grove Work started in June 2025. Glos Highways reminded of their duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980. https://youtu.be/EfkMKxx5EDU
23rd November: Andy asked Cllr Stephen Davies the following questions (not had a response as of the 26/11/25):
1. What criteria are Highways, and particularly Streetworks, using to justify their position that closing the lanes is not warranted?
2. Why is the road closure—originally part of Redrow’s proposal for 1,450 houses around Hardwicke—now considered unsuitable?
3. Why are developers not being held accountable for damage to road margins and required to pay for repairs?
4. Why did neither Highways nor the developers identify the obvious risks of increased lane usage in their assessments?
5. Why did it take repeated incidents and constant complaints from residents before the lanes were finally closed, and only after the first set of closures?
6. Why has engagement with residents been virtually non-existent, and why has it only involved Hunts Grove, not HPC?
21st November: Andy had very productive on site meeting with Gary from Glos Highways along with Cllr Gill and her partner.
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 from Hardwicke Parish Council 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.