FIVE days of resurfacing works in St Whites’s Road in Cinderford take place this month.

The work will start on Monday, December 12 and is expected to finish on Friday, December 16 between the junction with Ruspidge Road and the roundabout at Abbots Road.

To keep everyone safe while the large machinery is on site to lay 825 tonnes of asphalt, the road will need to close to traffic from 7.30am until 5.30pm each day.

Signed diversions avoiding Cinderford town centre and suitable for heavy goods vehicles will be in place to the north and south of Cinderford.

The northern diversion is via Valley Road, Nailbridge, Mitcheldean, A40, A48, Westbury-on-Severn, Littledean and vice versa.

The southern diversion is via Speech House, Lydney, Blakeney, Newnham, Littledean and vice versa. Local lighter traffic will know of shorter routes.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times including to St Whites Primary School which is located alongside the work site.

Access will also be maintained for emergency vehicles.

The White Hart pub will be accessible from the Valley Road side and from Ruspidge Road. Access to the Mouth Pleasant pub will be possible when safe.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood, said: "St White’s Road is a key part of one of the main routes through the Forest of Dean so this is a really important resurfacing improvement for the area. I’d like to thank local people in advance for their patience while we get the work done."