Gloucester residents can breathe easier as Severn Trent has announced the reopening of the A417 Over Causeway near Gloucester after a three-day closure caused by a major water leak. The closure, which led to gridlock and significant delays, has frustrated motorists and residents alike.
Initially scheduled to reopen at 5pm, the busy road from Alney Island to the Over roundabout finally welcomed traffic around 6.30pm, offering respite to those who had endured hours of frustration. Many commuters resorted to lengthy diversions and found themselves stuck in traffic for lengthy periods, with some receiving water assistance from B&Q staff while trapped in the congestion.
In a statement, Severn Trent extended apologies for the inconvenience caused and expressed gratitude for the public’s patience. The company assured that their teams had been laboring through the night to finalize the complex repair work, with the road expected to be fully reinstated by the evening.
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The severity of the situation is evident in the firsthand accounts shared by affected individuals. User Olliesgrandad recounted a 1 1/2-hour journey from Abbeymead to Hartbury, emphasizing the strain the closure placed on the local infrastructure due to ongoing residential expansion. Another user, OfficerDibble7, described the distressing experience of children stuck on a school bus for over an hour due to the closure.
While the reopening of the A417 Over Causeway brings relief, it underscores the impact of infrastructure failures on daily life and the pressing need for continued improvements and maintenance.