ABOUT 100 drivers face hefty fines and possible driving bans after being pictured heading the wrong way along Wootton Bassett High Street.

There is a one-way system through the town at present because of a massive sewer renewal programme in the High Street.

Part of the street is closed to southbound traffic but drivers have been ignoring signs and have been captured on prominent CCTV cameras flouting the system.

Insp Mark Levitt, of the town's police, said: "There have been 35 cases so far this week and about 100 in total in the four weeks since the diversion began.

"We have real concerns that somebody could be injured or even worse because of this dangerous and inconsiderate driving.

"It's just people being stupid and I don't know what else we could do to prevent it.

"There are four no-entry signs and dozens of notifying signs giving advance warn-ings on all routes into the town.

"I'm surprised and disappointed because we have spent a great deal of time consulting with the highways department and Wessex Water, trying to get everything done as best we can so as to give advance warning to motorists.

"A lot of work has gone into making life easier and it is easier for motorists who read and obey the signs."

Insp Levitt is convinced that the drivers who have been caught on camera are not simply confused.

He said: "Because of the obvious physical layout, to contravene those signs must be a deliberate reckless act.

"They are deliberately going against the flow of traffic at a roundabout and I wouldn't accept that it's a mistake or confusion.

"They must be making a decision to take a reckless gamble that they won't confront anybody head-on.

"There's a big sign advising that CCTV is in operation and there is a CCTV camera in the middle of the island for everybody to see.

"We are being very blatant about the fact that drivers are being filmed and enforcement will be carried out.

"The big safety issue is that motorists, pedestrians and workmen don't and shouldn't expect to be faced with traffic coming from that direction.

"The restricted part of the road is very narrow.

"Lorries and large vehicles have difficulty getting through in the correct direction so suddenly to be faced with an oncoming vehicle puts them in jeopardy."

But the drivers' moment of madness is likely to land them in serious trouble.

Anyone convicted can face a fine of up to £2,000 and points on their licence. Magistrates also have discretion to hand out a driving disqualification.

But if their actions caused a collision the situation would be even worse.

Insp Levitt said: "If a collision occurred I would expect a motorist to be looking at a dangerous or reckless driving charge."

The work in the High Street is scheduled to continue until the beginning of August.

A spokesman for Wessex Water said: "We can't accommodate people who choose not to stick to the diversion.

"We've been working there almost a month now.

"It is going extremely well and we're very pleased with the support we've been getting from police and traders.

"We've laid about 25 metres of the very large deep sewer we are having to put in place.

"We're on target and still looking at a finishing date of the end of July or beginning of August."