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TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS in Stroud
UPDATE! 22 August 2010
Work has begun on the Cotswold Canal project. There are diversions (with signage) in place in Stroud centre due to road and bridge construction on the A46 on the south side of Stroud. You can expect traffic congestion if you are coming through Stroud at rush hour times. By and large, however, the new diversion in Stroud is functioning reasonably well, better than many traders in Stroud had feared. Follow diversion signs and you will get through. If you are in rush hour time, and are adventurous, you can try alternatives:
FROM EXIT M5 EXIT 13
Follow signs towards Stroud, then STROUD COLLEGE, Cheltenham and Gloucester. This will take you past Stroud College, Tescos and Stratford Park. At mini roundabout with Park on left, go left and immediately fork RIGHT (big white sign says Wick Street). Hawkwood stone gateway is just under a mile on the RIGHT opp. a big telegraph pole.)
If you are coming from the Cirencester (via Chalford) or Nailsworth directions, there are alternative routes to take you around the edge of town. Sat navs from Cirencester may anyway bring you over Bulls Cross: that's OK, just follow Hawkwood signs at the last quarter mile, not the sat nav. From Nailsworth, you can fork off left at Lightpill and go over Cainscross instead of Stroud town centre.
How long will it last?
It is major works.There will be limited reopening by October-November. The scheme is only complete by (anticipated) March 2011.
What is the construction work? Usually one isn't so interested in what is going on with road construction, just in how to get through it. However, this might be an exception. For after this is all finished, you may even consider coming by canal boat! Actually, if coming in from the west - from Sharpness Canal direction, you won't yet be able to cross under the M5: funds were rejected for that part, but the project managers are energetically pushing ahead with the Stonehouse-Brimscombe project. Step by step, they are very hopeful of funding within five years for the connecting stretch to the Sharpness. Beyond that, they are also hopeful of restoring the canal tunnel beyond Chalford and within 15-20 years linking it back up to the Thames River... Well, enough time for future planning - purchasing your boat, and property along the canal besides! In the meantime, the old canal needs redredging along much of the length, including in the Stroud area, and a new bridge needs building in Stroud. Hence the planned diversions.
When all is finished, we'll update directions on how to find us to include coming by canal boat! And if you're looking to relocate to Stroud, buy land now along the canal - it might be shooting up in price! We know of some who are already looking for their sites...
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