A magistrate will decide if there’s a case to answer
13:48, 12 Sep 2025Updated 13:53, 12 Sep 2025
A Bradley Stoke resident has taken legal action against South Gloucestershire Council over its handling of some summer roadworks(Image: Scott Silbereis)
A ‘frustrated and disappointed’ Bradley Stoke resident has launched legal action over a chaotic set of summer roadworks. Scott Silbereis is one of many locals to have been severely impacted for weeks by South Gloucestershire Council works on Bradley Stoke Way, Baileys Court Road and Webbs Wood Road.
He wrote to the council in August to tell it he believed it had not followed the proper procedures to obstruct the roads. After being met with a rebuttal by the council, he has now launched a private prosecution.
“It’s very frustrating and disappointing,” he said. “I have tried since the beginning of this project to say that I’m not opposed to the project, I’m opposed to it being implemented disproportionately. I’m opposed to the works causing chaos for local residents that are beyond the value of the project.
“From the outset, I’ve been saying if they can deliver it reasonably, I’m in favour. It’s gone so far beyond reasonably that it’s criminal, and I’m disappointed that my attempts in recent months to encourage them to fix that and to do it reasonably and to do it legally have been met with a brick wall saying they’re not engaging in further correspondence unless I take them to court.”
The works have caused severe disruption in the local area over the summer months(Image: Scott Silbereis)
The summer roadworks in Bradley Stoke have been part of SGC’s Active Travel Scheme. The point of the scheme is to make it easier and safer for people walking, cycling, wheeling, and travelling by bus, according to the council.
Multiple roads have been obstructed in Bradley Stoke at the same time as a result. Concurrent works on the A38 Gloucester Road Flyover and the A4174 Ring Road over summer created a chaotic driving environment, with some motorists reporting 20-minute journeys were taking hours instead.
The delays caused by the flyover closure in particular earned the council a rebuke from Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Clare Hazelgrove. The council later apologised, saying some delays had been even worse than expected due to the accidental closure of another road meant as a diversion route.
In Bradley Stoke, Baileys Court Road reopened on September 5. Work on Webbs Wood Road was due to finish on September 12.
Mr Silbereis described the school run in early September as ‘utter gridlock’ and said he and at least two other people had abandoned their cars to walk to their destination.
Another parent, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation was an ‘absolute disgrace’.
“It’s horrendous,” he said. “You’re starting the day stressed, worried about kids (who are having to walk) getting hit by cars.”
“It’s an absolute disgrace. Someone should have researched how much traffic comes through Bradley Stoke before starting all these works at the same time.”
The roadworks have caused chaos during morning rush hour(Image: Scott Silbereis)
Mr Silbereis’ legal claim centres around an allegation that the council issued a ‘notice of closure’ for the works in Bradley Stoke, rather than a more onerous traffic order which requires a lot more effort on the council’s behalf. A notice allows a council to close a road for 21 days for unplanned or emergency works, which can be renewed once to last a maximum of six weeks, but only for up to five days for pre-planned works, Mr Silbereis said.
South Gloucestershire Council refused to comment further on the matter, saying it would respond to the case if it was allowed to proceed by a magistrate.
In August, a council spokesperson insisted they had followed the correct procedures.
“We have and will continue to follow the appropriate processes to make sure these schemes are delivered, and to give people advance notice so they can plan their journeys,” they said.