ONE of Swindon’s main access roads, Akers Way, will be open again to motorists on June 9.

However, the good news is short-lived as phase two of the work starts again three days later on June 12 and motorists are once again being advised to find alternative routes.

Coun Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “I’m pleased to report that the additional defects found by our engineer after the road surface was dug up have been rectified and it will be great to see the new road surface laid next week.

“This first phase was always going to cause the least amount of inconvenience as the majority of Akers Way has remained open. However, these next few phases will have a significant impact on people’s journeys so I would urge anyone who uses Akers Way or Moredon Road, particularly during peak periods, to consider using alternative routes and to allow plenty of time for their travel.

The contractor working on the project for Swindon Borough Council has been laying new base materials on the northern section of the carriageway ahead of the final surfacing next week.

When the first phase of the work is completed on June 9 the entire carriageway will be open to all traffic.

This will allow the roundabout outside Farm Foods, at the junction with Moredon Road, Whitworth Road, Cheney Manor Road and The Broadway, to be resurfaced over the weekend of June 10 and 11.

However, the following Monday phase two of the Akers Way reconstruction will begin and will affect a 200-metre section between the Purton Road roundabout and Nova Hreod Academy.

During this work, Akers Way will be closed again in both directions.

Drivers are advised that the diversion route for phase two will be: Purton Road, Moredon Road, Cheney Manor Road and Akers Way. Access to the Nova Hreod Academy junction will be maintained during this phase from the east only.

To reduce the impact on Moredon Road, hauliers and businesses serving Cheney Manor Industrial Estate are being asked to avoid the Moredon Road diversion and seek a suitable alternative route.

The work on Akers Way has been split into five phases to address problems with the deteriorating concrete base of the road. A complex but cost-effective solution has been devised which combines modifications to the concrete road base slabs and includes a specially designed thicker road surfacing material layer on top.

The design will increase the flexibility of the road and provide a longer-lasting protective surface over the road structure below. The contractor will also be carrying out improvements to the parking along the road.

“I would also encourage people to explore alternative methods of getting from A to B. Our Swindon Travel Choices service has some excellent information about For travel options go to www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk.