THE finishing touches are being made to the A38 following a summer of major resurfacing work.

Gloucestershire County Council has been putting the finishing touches to the road, south of Gloucester.

As part of the road safety improvement scheme, which includes the introduction of a reduced 50mph speed limit, new village gateway signs have been put up at Morteon Valence, Hardwicke and Whitminster.

The council has worked closely with local parish councils to design bespoke signs using emblems created by local residents to give a personal touch. The emblems show colourful paintings of local scenes.

The council’s contractors Amey have manufactured the signs via their inspiring scheme with Royal British Legion Industries which sees service veterans and disabled people producing road traffic signs.

The signs are now in place and surplus road signs have been removed. The new 50mph signs have also been put in place to enforce the new reduced speed limit.

The white lines have already been painted, and these have been specially designed to improve safety on this section of the A38.

Gloucestershire County Council has invested nearly £1 million in improving this 6.5km stretch along the A38 south of the city, which is a key route for county commuters.

Over the summer six major junctions along this route have been treated with a new hard-wearing surface, with the remaining stretch treated to seal it and prolong the life of the road.

Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood, said: “This has been one of our largest road maintenance and safety schemes this year, as improving safety on this key commuter route here has been a big priority for us.”

“Our highway teams have worked hard to improve the condition and safety of this stretch of road, and I am delighted that we have been able to work closely with local parish councils and residents to add some personal finishing touches.”

Local county councillor Anthony Blackburn for Hardwicke and Severn said, “I and local councillors have been pressing for a 50mph limit along this stretch of road since 2013, and we’re delighted that this scheme, which should improve local road safety, is now in place.”

For further information please visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/A38 or call 08000 514 514.