Good news for drivers as road is to open (From Swindon Advertiser)

Good news for drivers as Tadpole Lane is to open

12:50pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News

TADPOLE Lane, which has been closed for nine months for bridge repair works, is set to re-open on February 1.

The lane has been shut between the Oakhurst roundabout and the B4553 since May 2012.

Repairs have been carried out on the bridges that carry the road over the River Ray and the Swindon and Cricklade railway.

It had originally been hoped to complete the work by the end of 2012.

However, the Victorian railway bridge – which is the subject of a preservation order – was found to be more complex in its construction than first thought.

In addition, more masonry cracks were found. This meant new plans had to be drawn up which both preserved the newly-discovered features of the bridge while at the same time undertaking more ‘back-filling’ work to strengthen it.

Coun Peter Heaton-Jones said: “As a resident of St Andrew’s Ridge, I frequently used Tadpole Lane to get to Purton or Cricklade, or even as an alternative route to West Swindon. Many residents, like me, will be relieved the road is going to re-open.

“I’d like to congratulate the Swindon Council officers and all the construction site teams for their hard work.

“But it’s worth taking this opportunity to remind people that Tadpole Lane is now a 50mph limit, and only 30mph near the school entrances. Also there is a weight restriction which effectively bans lorries from using the road.

“I would urge people to watch their speed and not use the lane as a rat run when it re-opens.”