THE Stratton Green Bridge will reopen to drivers on time, Network Rail has announced, signalling the end of a three-mile diversion to cross the railway line that has been in place for three months.

Drivers have been told they can expect a smoother trip into Swindon once the bridge reopens, bringing an end to lengthy delays on the diversionary route, especially during rush hour.

The road has been closed since the beginning of November while Network Rail dismantled and rebuilt the bridge over the railway to make it high enough for the new electric trains and their overhead wires.

The dismantling of the bridge itself was carried out over Christmas Day and Boxing Day and since then Network Rail engineers have been carrying out works to tie the new bridge into the existing road. This has involved drainage, waterproofing and tarmacking work.

A Network Rail spokesman said work was continuing on schedule and drivers could expect the bridge to reopen on time.

He said: “Since Christmas we have completed the majority of the work on the road that approaches and goes over the bridge.

"This includes installing vehicle barriers to ensure the safety of drivers, tarmacking, adding in road markings and reinstating the street lights.

“We remain on course to reopen Stratton Green Bridge by the end of February, when passengers and lineside neighbours in Swindon will be a step closer to the benefits that electrification and the new faster, longer, quieter and greener electric trains will bring.”

Now, drivers only have four more weeks of the three mile diversion to endure before being able to cross the railway in Stratton, which will come as a relief to some railway neighbours on Ermin Street who fear their own road has been turned into a rat run by drivers looking for another way across the railway during the works.

The diversion route agreed with Swindon Borough Council has seen drivers diverted along Drakes Way to Ocotal Way where it meets the Great Western Way roundabout at the Transfer Bridges before turning onto Cirencester Way and along Gipsy Lane to Bridge End Road.

With work due to be completed in Stratton on time, road closure notices have been issued to Royal Wootton Bassett residents as the electrification project moves further west.

From March 6, part of Station Road will be closed to traffic, while a 40mph speed limit will be put in place on the Skew Bridge.

Drivers will be directed from Marlborough Road onto the new temporary link road to Hunts Mill Road to Bath Road, High Street, Swindon Road, Bincknoll Lane, Nore Marsh Road and finally back on Station Road.

A drop-in session on the works will be held at the Lime Kiln Leisure Centre on Thursday, February 4, from 4-7pm.