Drivers advised to plan journey's due to A40 landslip work

National Highways is advising drivers using the A40 - near Longhope - to allow extra time ahead of work starting next week. The work is taking place due to concerns that the landslip could worsen and cause further instability to the A40.

Repairs will be made to both the carriageway and safety barriers, which National Highways say will allow the road to reopen safely.

Emergency repair work will start at 8pm on Sunday, 21st April. The road will be closed between the A4136 Forest Gate junction and the B4224 junction at Lea, overnight and during the day until 6am on Wednesday 8th May.

The agency says access for residents, businesses and emergency vehicles will remain throughout the closure. To keep disturbance to local residents at night to a minimum, work will be carried out during the daytime only, between 7:30am and 7:30pm.

There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place for HGV and local traffic:

• HGVs will be diverted via the A417 and M50;

• Local traffic will be diverted via the A4136 and B4224.

James Coyne, Project Manager for National Highways, said: “Our teams have been working hard to resolve the landslip issue on the A40."

“Temporary traffic signals have been in place for safety reasons while investigations and surveys have been carried out."

“Due to recent prolonged wet weather, and the susceptibility of the landslip to deteriorate under these conditions, emergency repairs are now required to ensure that the landslip doesn’t worsen."

“The works will comprise of repairing the embankment, reinstatement and resurfacing of the carriageway and replacement of the safety barrier."

“We’ve already communicated with residents and local businesses, and we thank motorists in advance for their patience while this essential work is carried out.”

• landslips
• longhope