SAFETY improvement works on the A466 south of Redbrook are planned to start in early March to coincide with closures along the stretch of road.

Brian Watkins from Gloucestershire County Council Highways department was present at the January meeting of St Briavels Parish Council on Monday evening (12th January), and informed those present of the plans.

With stretches of the A466 scheduled to close between 9th and 20th March, for essential work cutting back trees, Gloucestershire highways department is looking to coincide their own works with these plans.

This will involve new lining on the road surface, warning signs and verge marking to make motorists aware of the potentially hazardous route.

Mr Watkins told the Parish Council: "I have suggested to the management team (at Gloucestershire County Council Highways Department) that with the forthcoming closure of the A466, it would be a good time to make improvements.

"I hope it will be part of the works and will confirm details when I have confirmation."

The route south of Redbrook has been a concern for residents for some time now with repeated traffic incidents on the road. Despite campaigns to reduce speed limits, there are currently no plans for this to happen. Ongoing investigations with the county council and police are looking to see whether the stretch of road requires a reduced speed limit.

The added safety features are aimed at reducing the average speed, especially at the high risk sections, and it is hoped that these will provide a solution to the ongoing

problems.