Rodborough Residents Seek Accelerated Wall Repairs, Aiming for Christmas Completion

A community located in Gloucestershire is calling for an expedited pace of work to repair a collapsed wall adjacent to residences, asserting that progress is moving at “a snails pace”. Since repairs commenced on Butterrow Lane, Rodborough, Stroud, on 4 November, residents have been required to park their vehicles on a nearby steep hill and navigate a narrow, muddy path to reach their homes. Claire Penketh, who has resided on the road for more than 20 years, stated: “We’ve had enough. I’m watching elderly people struggling past my house as they head for their cars parked on the hill, hearing from mothers terrified as they navigate to their vehicles with small children.” Gloucestershire County Council extended an apology to residents for any inconvenience incurred. The repair project was initially scheduled for a seven-week period after the wall became unstable due to subsidence on the road, but residents claim there has been “a lack of communication”. They are concerned that disruptions caused by recent storms and a shortage of manpower could extend the work beyond Christmas. Ms Penketh further remarked: “Every time you go on a weekly shop, it’s an expedition. “We need more workers drafted in, and faster progress to finish this on time, if not sooner, as it’s making our usually cheerful community pretty miserable.” Residents have also expressed concerns regarding drivers disregarding road closure signs on Butterrow Hill, which has also been closed off to provide parking for residents. Alick Miskin, a local parish councillor for Rodborough, observed that while local residents could use the hill, others were simply driving straight through. “It is the people that don’t live here that go at some speed, particularly between 4.40pm to 6.30pm. That’s when kids are getting back from school and getting out of cars, so it’s a bit dangerous.” A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council affirmed: “We would like to apologise to residents for any inconvenience these works have caused. “The repairs will be completed on Friday 20 December, when Butterow Lane and Butterow Hill will reopen. This particular wall has required a highly specialised repair and our engineers have made every effort to ensure the structure is repaired properly.”We have worked closely with residents when arranging the works to mitigate any possible disruption, and have done everything we can to ensure this essential repair is completed as quickly as possible. “We would also like to remind motorists not to ignore road closure signs, as this puts yourself and others at risk.”