Highways crews will be carrying out essential road and pedestrian improvements to an arterial Gloucester commuter route.

Between 18 and 27 February there will be a 24/7 road closure in place, where Park End Road meets Trier Way, so crews can safely widen a traffic island in the middle of the carriageway. The island will be fitted with tactile paving and dropped kerbs to make it more convenient for pedestrians waiting to cross the road, particularly those with wheelchairs, buggies or pushing a bicycle.

The new look crossing will be more accessible for blind, partially sighted and mobility impaired pedestrians, with coloured surfacing across the road to highlight the crossing.

The new road layout will benefit buses too, making it easier for them to negotiate the curves in the highway. To help minimise disruption, the improvement works will take place during the school half term.

While the road closure is in place, workers will also deliver some improvements at the junction of St Paul's Road and Park End Road. This will take a couple of days and be done under temporary traffic lights.

Pedestrian access will be maintained for the duration of the scheme and access for vehicles into Park End Road will be maintained from the Stroud Road direction.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "We know that investing in our roads is a priority for the people of Gloucestershire. We've listened to local concerns about changing the layout of Park End Road and these improvements will help pedestrians get from A to B in this area of Gloucester."

Cllr Sajid Patel, local councillor for Barton and Tredworth, said: "I'm happy these essential improvements are going ahead and this is really good news for local residents and motorists alike. I would like to thank road users for their patience while this important work is carried out."

What's the diversion route? (suitable for heavies)

Heading south, Park End Road will be closed to all traffic at the junction with Trier Way. Road users will remain on Trier Way to the junction with Bristol Road where they turn left onto Bristol Road and then left again onto Stroud Road where after approximately 600m the diversion will end.

Heading north, Park End Road will be closed to through traffic from the traffic signal junction with Stroud Road. Local traffic will still be able to access Park End Road from this end. The diversion route is to head west on Stroud Road, then onto Clifton Road until the junction with Bristol Road where vehicles turn right and then right at the Bristol Road junction with Trier Way. Vehicles will then remain on Trier Way for approximately 650m until the end of the diversion.