TWO bus gates were opened to all traffic yesterday to create an alternative route for motorists affected by Network Rail’s essential work on the Rodbourne Road railway bridges.

Rodbourne Road was closed on Monday, April 18, for four weeks to allow Network Rail to reconstruct one of the railway bridges and remove a redundant one.

But after monitoring congestion levels and the official diversion route since the closure, Swindon Borough Council decided to open up the Penzance Drive and Wootton Bassett Road bus gates to all traffic from 10am today on a trial basis.

The trial will be monitored via cameras, live traffic data and staff on the ground, and if the general impact is too severe it will be halted. Drivers are encouraged to use the approved diversion route.

Clockwise from the north side of the Outlet centre: Kemble Drive to Bruce Street Bridges, Great Western Way to Transfer Bridges roundabout, County Road to Magic Roundabout, Fleming Way (via Princes Street, Gordon Road, Islington Street), Holbrook Way then Faringdon Road to Park Lane roundabout.

Anti-clockwise from the South side of the Outlet centre: Park Lane to Park Lane roundabout, Faringdon Road via Emlyn Square, Station Road to Transfer Bridges roundabout, Great Western Way to Bruce Street Bridges, Kemble Drive.

Due to the limited number of days in the year when work can be carried out on the railway line, Network Rail’s choices of dates for the bridge repair work were limited to the Christmas or May Day holiday periods, with May being chosen due to the reduced impact on nearby retailers and other businesses.

Residents can find out more about the works from the national Network Rail helpline 03457 11 41 41.