The B4234 Forest Road, a vital route connecting Lydney and Whitecroft in the Forest of Dean, will remain closed until at least summer 2027. The road has been under full closure since 9 February 2026, following a significant landslip in November 2023 that necessitated urgent remediation works.
Originally, the closure was expected to last up to seven months, with reopening anticipated around September 2026. However, Gloucestershire County Council has announced that additional essential ground stabilisation work has been identified, extending the closure by nearly a year. This extension remains subject to ongoing ground conditions and construction progress.
The closure affects approximately 500 metres of the B4234 Forest Road. To accommodate traffic, a 15-mile diversion route is in place, guiding drivers from Lydney along the B4231 Bream Road to Coleford, then back down to Lydney via the B4234 through Cannop.
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Initial temporary traffic signals were installed after the landslip was first reported in November 2023, allowing limited use of the road while plans for a permanent engineering solution were developed. Full closure began in February 2026 to facilitate the remediation works at the primary landslip location, known as Site 1, which have since been completed ahead of schedule.
During comprehensive inspections, further issues were identified at two additional locations: Site 2 and a newly discovered failure area termed Site 1a. Monitoring revealed accelerating cracking and subsidence in these areas, confirming the need for additional stabilisation before reopening can be safely considered.
Specifically, cracking at Site 1a has expanded from about 15 metres in February 2026 to approximately 45 metres by July 2026. Meanwhile, Site 2’s cracking increased dramatically from approximately 6 metres when first noted in November 2023 to around 110 metres as of July 2026.
In a statement, Gloucestershire County Council acknowledged the difficulties the closure imposes on residents, businesses, and road users. They emphasised that addressing these newly discovered issues now allows for a single coordinated programme of repair, avoiding reopening under temporary constraints only to return for further closures later.
“By carrying out the additional essential repairs during the current closure while specialist teams and equipment are in place, we can ensure a better long-term outcome for all users of Forest Road,” the Council said. They also expressed gratitude to the community for its ongoing patience and cooperation throughout the disruption.
Montel Civil Engineering has been appointed to oversee the repair project, with Gloucestershire County Council committed to providing regular updates on progress via the official County Council website.