A main road between Stroud and Gloucester will be closed for three months next year.

A section of the A46, about 1km south of Brockworth, is suffering from subsidence caused by landslips.

Highways engineers need to strengthen the road to prevent it from deteriorating any further.

The crash barrier also needs to be stabilised, as it has suffered damage to its foundations

Contractors Walters UK LTD have been appointed to carry out the scheme, which will be funded with £1.2 million given to the Gloucestershire County Council from the Department for Transport’s infrastructure investment fund earlier this year.

The work is due to begin on January 4 and finish on April 23. The A46 will be fully closed for just over 12 weeks, until March 31, so work can take place safely. This will be followed by lane closures as construction continues.

It will involve drilling into the ground and filling the holes with concrete and reinforced steel structures. Forty-two of these foundations will be installed, reaching a depth of 12.5m and will be placed along a 90m area.

During the works new sections of drainage will be installed and the highway will be fully reconstructed.

A diversion will be in place during the closure via the A4173 and A417.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: “We appreciate this work will be inconvenient as it does involve the closure of the A46 for a number of weeks, but it is essential to carry out these repairs.

“I know the diversion will cause some disruption but the safety of road users and the workforce is our priority so I’m grateful for everyone’s patience while this is carried out.”

More information and future updates, including a map of the diversion route, can be found at gloucestershire.gov.uk/A46