DRIVERS face a diversion of up to 40 miles when the A3102 at Spittleborough closes at night for almost two weeks later this month.

The heavily used route between Royal Wootton Bassett and junction 16 of the M4 shuts from 8pm until 6am for 12 nights from October 23 to allow engineers to widen the road as part of the junction improvements.

Swindon Borough Council has said access to properties will be maintained, but other traffic is being directed using A and B roads via Lyneham, Calne, West Kennett, Marlborough and the Commonhead roundabout.

The junction 16 redesign, costing more than £11.5 million, is part of the planning requirement for the Wichelstowe housing development and it has to be completed before the 1,100th house is occupied.

Currently around 5,500 vehicles use the roundabout during peak rush hour times, but the total is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent as more houses appear on the development.

Construction work, currently causing peak time queues on the M4 as a result of lane closures on the slip roads, is expected to finish in spring next year.

The project is being funded by Swindon Borough Council, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Wichelstowe developers.