INTERIM repairs to tide Akers Way over until next summer when a full reconstruction can be carried out will begin early next month.

Plans to improve both the strength and condition of the busy road were due to take place this summer, but were put on hold after contractors failed to demonstrate they could meet the design requirements to carry out the work.

To stop the carriageway from deteriorating further, and to enable it to withstand the winter months, Swindon Borough Council has scheduled patching work to take place on several sections of the road between Monday, September 5, and Friday, September 23.

All the work will be carried out off-peak between the hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm, but due to the nature of the work traffic lights and stop-go boards will be necessary to allow the patching to take place.

Most of the repairs will take place between Purton Road and Nova Hreod Academy, although some will be undertaken near the Darby Close roundabout and St Mary’s Church.

Parking will be suspended in some areas and those residents affected are currently being notified.

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainability, highways and transport, said: “Akers Way is in desperate need of repair, which is why we have plans to bring the road up to the required standard next year.

“However, we cannot just leave the carriageway to continue to get worse up until that time and this patching work will provide some relief to motorists until we can get on with the more permanent solution.

“There will be some inconvenience to drivers and residents, but we have tried to keep the disruption to a minimum by keeping the road open throughout the work and scheduling it outside of peak times.”

Work is also to be carried out overnight at the Moonrakers Roundabout on September 10 when there will be four-way traffic lights in operation.

There will also be surfacing works carried out on Belsay in Toothill on August 30, Ravenglass Road in Westlea the following day, Pearl Road in Middleleaze, Wood Hall Drive and Bryony Way in Haydon Wick will also be resurfaced on September 2.

In addition there will be surfacing works carried out on residential pathways and streets in Bembridge Close in Walcot from August 30 until September 5, Shaftesbury Avenue in Park South from September 1 until September 15, Shenton Close and Church Way from September 6 until September 8, Oak Drive in Highworth from September 9 until September 13 and Bevisland in Eldene from September 15 until September 22.

Meanwhile, Swindon Borough Council has said that work is progressing well at Greenbridge Roundabout because of a spell of good weather.