Concerns Raised Over Poor Coordination of Cheltenham Roadworks Causing Major Traffic Delays

Residents and local officials have voiced growing frustration over a lack of coordination in Cheltenham’s roadworks, which many believe is causing significant traffic congestion across the town. The issue was highlighted at the Gloucestershire County Council meeting on November 12, where resident Caroline Harris questioned why essential road closures were not scheduled during the quieter summer school holidays.

Harris cited the closure of Thirlestaine Road immediately after Cheltenham College reopened from its two-month break, which she said imposed unnecessary costs on the school and parents. She also raised concerns about temporary traffic lights on the A40 near McDonald’s, which have been blamed for severe delays.

“Driving around town, there are road closures and temporary lights with no visible work being done,” Harris added, pointing to areas near the racecourse and rugby club where local residents reported never seeing any active construction.

In response, Joe Harris, the council’s cabinet member for highways, explained the complexity of managing around 27,000 roadworks annually. He emphasized the need to balance necessary maintenance and infrastructure upgrades with minimizing disruptions for road users.

Regarding specific complaints, Harris clarified that the Thirlestaine Road resurfacing was scheduled for overnight hours to reduce disruption. The works near McDonald’s were carried out by Severn Trent Water, with strict conditions that the works be conducted off-peak and traffic signals manually controlled. Unfortunately, delays occurred because the contractor failed to properly staff the traffic lights and carried out work during peak hours. The council has since fined Severn Trent for not completing the works within the permitted timeframe.

On the subject of the racecourse area, the council is currently implementing a major project involving three miles of new cycling and walking paths, along with crucial repairs to the rail bridge and ground stabilization. These works have been carefully timed to avoid road closures during key local events such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Christmas period, with all work expected to finish by early 2026. Much of this construction is taking place out of public view, particularly around the rail bridge.

The council acknowledges the disruptions these projects cause but stresses their importance for the long-term improvement of Cheltenham’s transport infrastructure, urging patience as the works proceed.