STROUD'S Wallbridge diversion may become a permanent fixture once the A46 Merrywalks Bridge is complete.

Following the success of the diversion since it started in July, Gloucestershire County Council is now looking into the possibility of keeping part of it open once the £1.8million project is finished.

As part of the plans, the council is considering one way operation from Cheapside to Dr Newton’s Way roundabout.

This will leave enough road space for good quality pedestrian and cycling routes to and from the town centre.

Making the temporary two-way operation of traffic in London Road permanent is also being looked at as part of these plans to ensure traffic flows well through Stroud.

At the moment, the Wallbridge diversion has temporary planning consent but full consent would be needed if the diversion was to be made permanent.

This means that a public consultation into the proposals will be held to seek people’s views on the changes.

Initially, talks need to be held with the Environment Agency as the area in located in a flood zone so there may be issues to overcome first.

Project manager Nigel Edgeworth said: “We have been really impressed with how the diversion has been working since it started.

“Traffic has been flowing well throughout the town and many people have commented on how the diversion is actually an improvement."

Merrywalks Bridge will form an integral part of the Cotswold Canals Restoration Project when finished.

To see how the diversion is working at the moment, log on to www.cotswoldcanals.com before setting off to see how traffic is moving.

For further details on the scheme visit www.gloucestershire.gov.ukmerrywalks *A name is needed for the new bridge at Merrywalks. Any suggestions, including an explanation, can be sent to David Marshall, Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Westward Rd, Stroud, GL5 4UB or emailed to david.marshall@stroud.gov.uk by Friday, October 8.

Bridge update: Work on the new bridge has this week concentrated on placing steel reinforcements to form the base and lower section of the bridge structure. This takes time as all reinforcing bars need to be in the correct position according to the design and tied together.

It is anticipated that concrete will be poured into the structure towards the end of next week.

Employees from BT have also been on site for most of the week sorting out cabling.