THE misery faced by drivers in Swindon looks set to continue as further work starts on Monday, leading to road closures in Rodbourne Cheney and Old Town.

Ongoing work is also causing problems for businesses affected by long term work, especially close to the Bruce Street Bridges.

Thames Water is set to start work on Monday on Cheney Manor Road which will mean the closure of the southbound lane for the next three weeks from Baileys Corner to the Ferndale Road roundabout.

As a result, diversions will be put in place through the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate for drivers and buses.

The work has been going on for several months as part of a £6.9m project to upgrade the sewer system to increase its capacity and installing a new pumping station.

The work began in October but has started to have an impact on local businesses.

Sheila Thakraz, co-owner of the Baileys Corner Newsagent, said: “The work is having a big effect on our trade. When the road was shut in October our daily trade was down 60 per cent.

“I’m concerned about the long-term effect it’s going to have on the business. People who drive here have to park so far away which they just don’t want to do.

“It’s been very quiet in the shop.”

Also on Monday, a section of Newport Street is due to shut while Thames Water connect some new houses on Station Approach to the mains.

These works are set to force many changes to the normal bus schedule.

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said: “It is likely that other services may experience possible delays due to traffic congestion in the areas affected by closures but we will make every effort to minimise this. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these circumstances beyond our control.”

Thames Water have said sorry for the inconvenience caused and are making a donation to the Prospect Hospice as a result.

Lawrence Adams, Thames Water’s contracts manager, said: “We’re sorry for any inconvenience this essential work causes drivers.

“We’d like to thank residents for their patience during this part of the work, as they have been unable to use the garages behind their homes. We’re also very grateful to the BSS House business centre, who kindly made some of their parking spaces available to help.

“In lieu of payment for this, we are making a £500 donation to Prospect Hospice.”

 

BUS SERVICES AFFECTED BY THE CLOSURES

  • Services 13, 13A, 14 and 14A from Haydon Wick to the town centre and Eldene/Liden will be diverted from Cheney Manor Road via Akers Way and Cheney Manor Trading Estate to Rodbourne Road to regain their normal route.
  • Buses will not call at Churchward Avenue West, The Manor and Scarborough Road. Nearest alternative stop for Churchward Avenue West is St Mary’s Church in Akers Way.
  • A temporary stop will be available for passengers who normally use The Manor and Scarborough Road at the end of Cheney Manor Trading Estate.
  • Buses will run non-stop between St Mary’s Church and the temporary stop.
  • In Old Town, services 12, 15 and 70A will be diverted.
  • Service 12 from the Great Western Hospital to St Andrew’s Ridge via the town centre and Service 70A from Swindon to Marlborough via Chiseldon, will not call at Newport Street Co-op, Devizes Road, Prospect, The Brow, Durham Street or Regent Circus in either direction. These services will instead be diverted to run between Old Town and Fleming Way via Drove Road.
  • The nearest available alternative stops for services 12 and 70A will be in High Street, Drove Road and Fleming Way.
  • Service 15, from East Wichel to Haydon Wick via the town centre, will be diverted to run between Croft Campus and Old Town via Devizes Road and will not serve Aspect Park, Evelyn Street, Old Mill Lane and Newport Street Co-op in either direction.
  • Service 15 passengers who would normally use the Aspect Park and Evelyn Street stops are advised to use Service 12 from Evelyn Street and change buses at Fleming Way.
  • Passengers normally using the Old Mill Lane and Newport Street Co-op stops are advised to go to the nearest alternative stop at Devizes Road.