LOCAL business owners have spoken of their relief at the announcement that Rodbourne Road will re-open a week ahead of schedule.

The area has become somewhat of a ghost town since the road was closed to allow for essential work on the railway bridges above it three weeks ago.

It was initially due to reopen on May 15 but Network Rail have now completed the bulk of the work meaning the closure can be lifted in time for rush hour on Monday.

Traffic has been re-routed via Transfer Bridges and Bruce Street Bridges during the work which has left Rodbourne Road empty, with local businesses noticing a considerable down turn in trade.

Kos Dixon, of The Sewing Shop, said: “I was here thirty years ago when the works closed and the last three weeks have been like that again.

“We have our regulars but we do rely on passing trade as well, it’s been a nightmare for people to try to get here.

“We’re looking forward to seeing all our customers come back, and to the relief on the traffic on all the roads as well.

The vast majority of the bridge works were carried out over the Bank Holiday weekend when a large crane was on site to lift the new structure into place, but Network Rail needed the full closure to carry out preparatory works on the site leading up to this.

There will now be one final overnight closure from 11pm on Saturday, May 14 until 5am on Sunday, May 15 for engineers to complete the final stage of the project.

Robert Gosling, Owner of Ron’s Stores which sells hardware, pet and garden supplies on Rodbourne Road, joked that it was so quiet they had even thought about playing football in the street.

He said: “It’s a massive relief, not only for us but for commuters as well - it’s good news that they’re finishing early.

“We have regulars from the other side of town and some of them have made an effort to still come to us which has helped, but you do really miss that passing trade.”

During the closure, diversions were put in place for motorists and in an effort to create an additional route, Swindon Borough Council opened the Penzance Drive and Wootton Bassett Road bus gates to all traffic.

However Tanya Williams, owner of Provocative Pleasures, says the signposting just wasn’t good enough to allow people to take advantage of the bus gate openings.

She said: “Most people don’t know what a bus gate is, when they see a sign saying ‘bus gate suspended’ it’s confusing.

“They’ve got a road closed sign down at the roundabout, another one half way up the road, most people have turned round before they get up this far.

“It hasn’t benefitted us at all which has been really frustrating.”

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said: “I would like to thank Network Rail for completing the work ahead of schedule and also thank motorists, local businesses and local residents for their patience while this essential work was carried out.

“With the roads in and around Rodbourne now free of works, I would encourage people to visit the many businesses in the area from Swindon Mobility Ltd to Sinbad Tandoori and West Tailoring Alterations. Rodbourne is open for business.”

Jennifer Pearson, Network Rail’s scheme project manager, said: “I’d like to thank residents for their patience and understanding while we completed this essential upgrade.

“We were fully aware of the inconvenience caused by this temporary closure which is why we worked hard to complete the majority of the work and re-open the road as soon as possible.”