Residents in Cheltenham are voicing frustration over what they see as poorly coordinated roadworks, leading to significant traffic delays. The issue was highlighted during Gloucestershire County Council’s meeting on November 12, when local resident Caroline Harris posed a public question regarding the timing of road closures.
Harris pointed out that roadworks on Thirlestaine Road began immediately after Cheltenham College reopened following its summer break, resulting in inconvenience and additional costs for the school and parents. She asked why such disruptive work wasn’t scheduled during the quieter summer holidays instead. Additionally, she highlighted ongoing traffic problems caused by temporary lights on the A40 near McDonald’s, which have led to severe congestion.
“There are road closures and temporary lights across town where no obvious work appears to be underway,” Harris added, citing locations near the racecourse and the rugby club where locals report seeing little to no active construction.
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In response, Highways Cabinet Member Joe Harris explained that the council manages approximately 27,000 roadworks annually, striving to balance essential infrastructure maintenance with minimizing disruption for road users.
Regarding the specific concerns, Harris clarified that the resurfacing on Thirlestaine Road was planned to occur overnight (from 8 pm to 7 am) to reduce daytime disruption. The works by McDonald’s on Gloucester Road (A40) were conducted by Severn Trent Water. Due to the sensitivity of the A40, the council required these works to take place outside peak hours with manual control over traffic signals.
Unfortunately, Harris noted that Severn Trent’s contractor failed to staff the traffic lights properly and carried out some work during peak times, causing long delays. The council has since fined the contractor for not completing the work within the permitted timeframe.
As for work near Cheltenham Racecourse, the council is currently implementing a three-mile stretch of new cycling and walking infrastructure, alongside vital repairs to the rail bridge and ground stabilization efforts. These projects have been carefully scheduled to avoid road closures during major events such as the Cheltenham Festival and the busy Christmas period. The works are expected to be completed by early 2026 and much of the activity has taken place out of public view, especially on the rail bridge.
While the council acknowledges the inconvenience caused, officials emphasize ongoing efforts to coordinate roadworks effectively and deliver important improvements to Cheltenham’s infrastructure.