DRIVERS who have endured 12 months of gridlock around the Bruce Street Bridges are being told that the end is in sight, although there is still work to do which could last until March next year.

Swindon Borough Council has announced Great Western Way will return to having two lanes of traffic between North Star and Bruce Street Bridges once the road markings are repainted this week – provided the weather allows.

Newcome Drive will also be open to traffic from the westbound side of Great Western Way as it has recently been resurfaced.

But, while traffic may soon be able to flow more freely, there is still work to be done alongside the roads which may continue into next year.

Coun Dale Heenan, the council’s cabinet member for sustainability and transport, said phases three and four of the work were progressing well.

He said: “We also anticipate that Great Western Way westbound, exiting Bruce Street Bridges, will be back open to two lanes this week along with the exit junction off Rodbourne Road/Kemble Drive – however, this is dependent on the repair of a Thames Water burst water main outside Mannington Park.

“Due to the complex nature of remodelling Bruce Street Bridges, improving the Newcome Drive junction and the extensive flood alleviation work in the Cheney Manor area, we have always said it will take a minimum of 12 months to finish.

“Our biggest challenge has been the discovery of a large number of underground pipes and cables, which were not on any utility maps and which did not show up on any of the surveys previously carried out.”

But traders working alongside the development have slammed the over-running works.

Rob Stagg, who lives in Rodbourne and works on Bruce Street said with the winter nights drawing in there were huge concerns over people’s safety.

He said: “There is no lighting around the area and they have changed the flow for pedestrians so people no longer know where the safest place to cross the road is.

“This is creating a lot of worry for people who work late shifts.

“There has been a complete lack of communication from the council to the residents and the businesses as to when the work will be completed.

“We have only heard from the contractors themselves by speaking to them, and they have told us it will most likely go on until March next year