A public drop-in event is being held next week for people to find out more about essential repairs due to be carried out on the A435 Charlton Hill.

The road has suffered from ongoing cracking and movement for many years, with landslips identified between Charlton Kings and the Seven Springs roundabout.

The most severely affected section needs to be stabilised to make it safe for use and it will be closed from March 2023 to the end of September 2023 to allow for this vital work to take place.

A public drop-in event will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cirencester Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL53 8EA, on Thursday, March 2, from 10am to 6pm, for residents and businesses to meet the contractors Montel, as well as the project team, and ask any questions they have.

Construction is due to begin on Monday, March 20, after the Cheltenham Festival has finished to minimise any disruption and is due to be completed by the end of September.

The project will involve installing sheet piles to stabilise the embankment and carriageway, reaching a depth of 12m, and placed along a 441m length. The road will be fully resurfaced, and the drainage system will be improved.

The crawler lane on the road, previously used for slow moving traffic until it was closed for safety reasons, will be used as a 'safe zone' for cyclists travelling uphill.

The work is estimated to cost £3.5million and is being funded from Gloucestershire County Council's highways capital programme and the Department for Transport.

Due to the construction activities required and for the safety of road users and construction staff, it will be necessary to close the road for the duration of the works to all users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllr Dom Morris, cabinet member for highways and flood, said: "This project has been a long time in the making so it's great news that the work is about to be carried out.

"The drop-in event will provide an opportunity for people to find out more so I would encourage residents and businesses to attend if you have any questions.

"I appreciate the road closure will be inconvenient and apologise for any disruption it may cause, but it is essential the work takes place to make the route safe for all road users."