DRIVERS are set to be hit by more road works in the New Year as essential flood alleviation will lead to the closure of roads around the Cheney Manor Industrial Estate.

Starting next month Cheney Manor industrial estate will be closed to through traffic between Baileys Corner roundabout and Darby Close for approximately five weeks to allow contractors to increase the size of existing storm sewers.

While the council has the necessary legal order in place to begin this work on January 5, the work is expected to start on January 12, subject to the completion of the final stage of drainage work on Northern Road. Motorists who do not need to access businesses on the industrial estate will use a diversion route via Akers Way and Cheney Manor Road.

The southern part of the industrial estate will remain open for access to businesses and the contractor working on behalf of Swindon Borough Council has written to all the businesses directly affected by the work. The Household Waste Recycling Centre will be accessible via Akers Way as will the northern section of the industrial estate.

The scheme is an extension of the work that has been taking place in nearby streets and has been co-ordinated so alternative routes are open to drivers in an effort to minimise disruption and maintain traffic flow.

Work on Surrey Road is due to finish this week and Northern Road will also be reopened over the festive period.

Flood alleviation work from Darby Close to the junction of Akers Way will start later in 2015 but not before the southern section of the industrial estate has been completed. At this point and when the industrial estate is reopened to all traffic, work will then progress on to Cheney Manor Road. The programme for this further work will depend on the progress made in earlier parts of the scheme.

Iffley Road and Wembley Street are also included in the flood alleviation programme with work set to start from mid-February.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), Cabinet Member for Highways, Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport, said: “This work is crucial to protecting the businesses in Cheney Manor industrial estate and also the many homes in the surrounding area.

“The flash floods which took place in this location several years ago had a devastating impact on businesses and home owners. By improving the highway drainage in this way it will supplement the work already undertaken by Thames Water and protect people’s properties in the years to come.

“This programme has been carefully planned so it takes place in stages as we want to maintain the traffic flow as best we can while this work is carried out. I appreciate this will cause disruption to motorists, but I would encourage people to continue to allow more time for their journeys and to plan their routes accordingly.”

A map showing the main roadworks impacting traffic around Swindon is at: http://bit.ly/115YG33 and further information about each of the roadwork schemes can be obtained by clicking on the relevant icon.

Further information and updates on the Bruce Street Bridge improvement works can be found at: http://www.swindon.gov.uk/greatwesternway