Residents of the Hunts Grove estate in Gloucester have been facing significant disruption and frustration due to prolonged roadworks on the A38 near Kingsway and Quedgeley. What began in June as a four-month project to build a new junction into Hunts Grove has now dragged on, with completion unlikely before just days prior to Christmas.
Many locals describe the situation as a traffic “nightmare” that has effectively made them prisoners in their own homes. Commuting times have ballooned dramatically. For example, Liz, a resident, shared that her usual 30-minute drive to her child’s nursery recently stretched to two hours.
Similarly, Nikki Curtis expressed deep frustration, saying, “We feel like prisoners in our own homes as we cannot get off the Hunts Grove estate due to ongoing road works. People are spending up to two hours just to travel two miles. Children are arriving late to school and ending up in detention, appointments are missed, and getting to work on time has become a challenge.”
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She added that even making it to Cheltenham for an evening commitment means leaving at least two hours earlier than usual. The delays have also impacted deliveries and public transport, with Stagecoach Service 8 buses experiencing long delays.
A spokesperson for Crest Nicholson, the developer in charge of the project, acknowledged the disruptions but highlighted the necessity of the work. They stated, “Our priority is to complete the junction upgrades and reopen the road ahead of the Christmas break, weather permitting. We appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation during this time. Once completed, these improvements will support new housing developments and improve connectivity for the whole community.”
Despite this reassurance, residents continue to endure traffic chaos, hoping the project concludes soon to restore normal access to their neighborhood.