According to police, a countywide Christmas drink-drive campaign resulted in more cars being stopped than the year before.

According to Gloucestershire Police, 1,158 police were stopped overall, up from roughly 800 in 2023.

Out of the drivers who were pulled over, 117 were taken into custody, and 59 were accused of driving under the influence or not producing a specimen.

Inspector Marty Murawa stated: “It’s disappointing 117 motorists risked their own life and the lives of others by driving whist under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

During the campaign, which ran from December 1 to January 2, 68 people were arrested for driving under the influence and 49 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service are all involved in the yearly campaign in addition to the police.

According to the force, the program, which was started in early December 2024, also aims to inform drivers about the risks and potential consequences.

Gloucestershire Police Specialist Operations Insp Murawa expressed gratitude to the various agencies for their assistance in “removing drug and alcohol users from the road.”

Two in hospital and roads closed after crash

Following a serious single-vehicle collision in Cirencester, two persons are in the hospital.

At 10:30 GMT, police and paramedics, including two air ambulances, were sent to A419 Cirencester Road, close to Dobbies Garden Centre.

The A429 Bristol Road, the A419 Swindon/Cirencester Road, and the A419 turn off Dobbies Garden Centre are among the roads that have been closed.

Police say the closures will remain in effect for a “number of hours” and that drivers are advised to stay away from the area.

The two were taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, according to a representative for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Five-double crewed land ambulances were also dispatched to the scene, they added.

Overnight closures on A436 to cause 12-mile diversion

Recent rainy weather has prompted the start of roadwork on a crucial Gloucestershire route.

For two nights this week, the A436 will be closed between the Air Balloon and Seven Springs roundabouts, forcing cars to detour 12 miles.

Between 21:00 GMT on Thursday and 6:00 on Friday, then again between 21:00 on Friday and 6:00 on Saturday, the two-mile section will be blocked.

The £460 million ‘Missing Link’ project, which will link traffic from the M4 to the M5, is associated with the construction. During the closures, diversion routes will be in place via the A46, A40, A435, A436.

According to a National Highways representative, the agency decided to move forward with installing permanent drains in the region in order to minimize floods after the recent wet weather.

It stated it has taken steps to minimize interruption “where possible” and expressed regret for the short notice of the closure.

“Signposted diversion routes will be in place during the closure and access for residents and emergency services will be fully maintained during the closures,” said a spokesperson.

aAccording to a National Highways representative, the agency decided to move forward with installing permanent drains in the region in order to minimize floods after the recent wet weather.

It stated it has taken steps to minimize interruption “where possible” and expressed regret for the short notice of the closure.

“Signposted diversion routes will be in place during the closure and access for residents and emergency services will be fully maintained during the closures,” said a spokesperson.

Instead than using sat-navs, drivers are being urged to stick to established diversion routes.

City leisure operator ‘still losing money’

Twelve months after taking over the management of a city’s recreation centers, a non-profit organization is still losing money.

Following the dissolution of the Aspire Trust in 2023, Freedom Leisure assumed temporary management of Gloucester’s GL1 and Oxstalls, and it currently operates them permanently.

This week, council members in Gloucester City were informed that the organization is currently short by little over £270,000.

According to Lee Thomas, regional manager of Freedom Leisure, the company has “surpassed expectations” in terms of revenue given its investment.

“Committed to ensuring a future for leisure provision across the city” is what Mr. Thomas said his team is doing.

Matt Wickham, the Chief Operating Officer of Freedom Leisure, claims that the council is not at risk despite the company’s present deficit.

They’ve “taken a risk on” what Wickham refers to as “their loss”.

The number of health and fitness memberships has climbed by over 200, according to a recent council meeting announcement from Freedom Leisure.

Numerous community events, such as robot fights, comic cons, wrestling, and dance performances, have also taken place.