The A417 Barnwood Link road is closing later this month to allow for repairs to a tunnel where the Horsbere Brook flows under the road.

Inspections have revealed that the tunnel, also known as a culvert, under the A417 on the Barnwood Link between the C&G Roundabout, (Barnett Way Roundabout) and Elmbridge Court Roundabout needs essential repairs.

The repairs involve digging down to the culvert, and resealing the top of it to stop water entering from the road above and damaging the structure. Once the repair has been made, the road will need to be rebuilt and resurfaced to make it good again.

Because the road surface has to be completely removed, the road will have to be fully closed in the northbound direction only (from the C&G Roundabout) over the weekend from 8pm on Friday 24th July to 5am on Monday 27th July.

This is a busy road so the closure has been planned for the weekend, when traffic levels are lower, to reduce disruption. Access to businesses on the Centre Severn business park will be maintained northbound (from the C&G Roundabout) and advisory signs will be displayed.

In addition to the weekend full northbound closure, there will also be lane closures on the northbound carriageway (from the C&G Roundabout towards Elmbridge Court Roundabout) beginning on July 27 for two weeks (one week for each lane) so the concrete roof of the culvert can be fixed.

From July 27, when the northbound lane closures are in place, the repairs will be made from inside the culvert, so road users will not see work taking place or operatives above ground. The lane closures are needed to take traffic loading away from the areas under repair.

Organising the repairs this way will mean that apart from the full weekend northbound closure, one lane can be kept open to help minimise any inconvenience for road users.

When the northbound carriageway is closed, a signed diversion will be in place suitable for all vehicle types. The diversion clockwise is via the A417 along Corinium Avenue then the A38 Barnwood Road then Estcourt Road and the B4063 Cheltenham Road through Longlevens to Elmbridge Court.

Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member responsible for highways said: "We really need to get on and do these essential repairs. However, we do understand that this is a busy road so we are doing everything we can to minimise the disruption. I'd like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and cooperation."