JUST six months after the completion of the works at Bruce Street Bridges, work is already underway to try and "improve" traffic flow further.

Swindon Borough Council is trialling some alterations to the design of the junction at the entrance to Rodbourne Road at the request of local traders and local councillors.

A council spokesman said: "A review is always carried out whenever significant changes are made to a road junction to ensure it is operating correctly and to see if any alterations need to be made.

"We were also asked by nearby traders and local councillors if alterations to the junction close to Kemble Drive would improve the traffic flow and we are currently undertaking some trials involving changes to road markings, altering lane alignments and adjusting the signal timings.

"We expect the trials to run for another three months and we will then analyse the results to see if any permanent changes need to be made."

But a financial advisor working on Fire Fly Avenue has questioned the need to change the priorities of the junctions. Simon Venables of Grosvenor Consultancy said that if adopted, the change would affect them - and anyone visiting the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet - "massively". He said: 2I actually think the work that was done on the roundabout is a massive improvement, we come in and out of here up to six times a day, so we really do use it, and everything has been going well.

"For them to say they want the priorities changed because they want more people to go down Rodbourne Road is just madness. We cannot understand it."

The trial comes on the back of the 18-month roadworks which caused long tailbacks along Great Western Way in both directions, as well as the closure of the other end of Rodbourne Road while Network Rail replaced a railway bridge over the road.

Businesses working alongside the revamped roundabout have reported that business is now starting to pick up.

“The road has been improved as the traffic used to build up quite badly here and business is very slowly beginning to pick up,” said Daniel Wilson, technical director at AEL Lighting. “Unfortunately, we feel a lot of people are still a bit cautious about coming back to the area because the traffic was particularly bad while the work was going on.

“Having said that we are still here, we’re still offering the same services and we have parking for customers and a loading bay which we did not have before. We want customers to come back and sample the personal service a local business can offer, which they may not receive with the larger firms.”

Steve Law, of Swindon Mobility, has been based at Bruce Street Bridges for the last 20 years. He said: “Our loyal customers have been fantastic and I would like to thank them for braving the disruption while the work was going on. The area is a lot more customer-friendly and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.”

Vincenzo Fruci, of My T Sharp barbers, also had a message for his loyal customers. “I want to thank all my customers for supporting me while the work was going on and to encourage any old ones to come back. I’ve invested several thousand pounds in the shop, we’ve got new staff and we’re open six days a week.”

Rodbourne Road features a host of independent traders and Kos Dixon of The Sewing Shop, close to the Designer Outlet Centre, is working closely with the council to look into the possibility of setting up a business association for Rodbourne.

Kos, who has been trading from The Sewing Shop in Rodbourne Road for over 35 years, said: “We have been here for a long time. Some of the businesses are second, third or fourth generation so we have a lot of established traders along Rodbourne Road.

“There are nearly 50 independent traders, boutiques with their own charm and character. A lot of us offer advice to customers you don’t tend to get in the big shops – it’s the personal touch. We are easy to get to, we have parking and the road is now all clear. I have one message to shoppers – come back to Rodbourne.”

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Highways and Transport, said: “Local traders are the heartbeat of a town’s retail offer and Rodbourne Road is well worth a visit if you want that personal touch, as the traders themselves have described. In fact I have my hair cut there.

“Rodbourne Road is still very much open for business. People may be surprised by the range of businesses available from hairdressers, restaurants and cafes, tailors and a DIY store, there really is something from everyone. Local councillors Steph Exell and Kevin Small continue to lobby and ensure the Highways team take local views into account.”

Councillor Steph Exell, Ward Councillor for Mannington and Western, who has been working closely with the businesses, said: “The businesses in Rodbourne Road have experienced a difficult couple of years with the disruption at Bruce Street Bridges at one end and then Network Rail’s replacement of the railway bridge at the other.

“We want to help those businesses flourish and encouraging people to use these local shops is an obvious step we can take. For me, Rodbourne Road is one of Swindon’s hidden gems as it has so many independent traders all specialising in their own goods and services.

“The close proximity of Rodbourne Road to the Outlet Centre puts these great shops just a stone’s throw away from thousands of shoppers, so next time you’re in the area don’t forget to stop off and see what they have to offer.”