Work on a new flagship walking and cycling route being built on the B4063 between Gloucester and Cheltenham is continuing to make great progress.

The six-mile path will provide a continuous off-road route for cyclists of all ages and abilities, helping to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions while encouraging more active travel.

The first section of the traffic-free route, from the M5 overbridge to Pheasant Lane, is finished and the next section from Pheasant Lane to Arle Court roundabout is nearing completion.

Roadworks are necessary while these improvements are being carried out and the county council understands and appreciates the frustrations and delays these may cause for motorists.

Some work may coincide with other schemes planned by other contractors or organisations, because urgent repairs may be needed or funding deadlines have to be met, meaning the work cannot be delayed despite the unfortunate timing.

The county council engages very closely with other organisations to co-ordinate works, to ensure minimal inconvenience is caused to road users and residents. However, sometimes unforeseen emergency or safety work arises outside of the county's control, such as a gas leak or structural failure, when urgent action is then necessary.

We have been coordinating work with National Highways along the Severn Vale corridor, including the B4063 and A40 routes.

Work being carried out by the county council on the B4063 section between Arle Court and Pheasant Lane is due to finish later in 2022. This work had been planned for some time and is well advanced.

Since starting our works, National Highways identified the need for urgent work at Bamfurlong Lane bridge, which is safety critical and needs to be carried out to protect and maintain the integrity of the structure. It needed to start before winter to guard against any further deterioration and possible unplanned closure of the bridge.

As the diversion route is via the B4063, some people will be affected until the county council work on this section is completed later this year, when some of the traffic disruption will be alleviated.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journeys while work is being carried out and where possible stagger journey times to off peak hours.

Cllr David Gray, cabinet member for environment and planning, said: "We would like to thank road users and residents for their patience while these works are being carried out. We understand the frustrations that delays, and traffic congestion can cause to our daily lives and we apologise for the inconvenience.

"However, the work we are carrying out is making great progress and will lead to significant improvements in our walking and cycling infrastructure, which will see great benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions and improving public health."

For more information on the B4063 works, visit the Gloucestershire County Council website.