The A46 by Coopers Hill is set to fully reopen this week as work to stabilise the road surface nears completion.

A section of the road, about 1km south of Brockworth, has been suffering from subsidence caused by landslips and needed to be strengthened.

The work was essential to prevent the condition of the road, which connects Stroud to Gloucester and the Brockworth Bypass, from deteriorating any further.

Engineers have been working on site throughout the lockdown since January 4 and the road was due to fully reopen on April 23, following a reopening with lane closures at the end of the month.

However the work has been carried out more quickly than anticipated and it is now due to be fully reopened without any lane closures at the end of this week, on March 26.

The work has been carried out by contractors Walters UK LTD and has been funded with £1.2 million given to the county council from the Department for Transport's infrastructure investment fund.

Piling work has been completed, which has seen holes dug into the ground along a 90m area and filled with concrete and reinforced steel structures. The road has been resurfaced and drainage, road markings and signs are all that's left to be completed.

A diversion has been in place during the closure via the A4173 and A417, with access to private properties maintained at all times from either side.

Businesses have also remained open if they were able to do so during lockdown, and a community hub - a network of local community representatives including parish councils - kept people updated with progress.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "I'm delighted the work is nearly completed and would like to thank the team on site for making such great progress ahead of schedule.

"I appreciate how inconvenient the closure of the A46 has been but it was essential to make the route safe and I'm grateful for everyone's understanding and patience."