I am writing to express my dismay at the number of roadworks in Swindon. You can't fail to notice the traffic jams and it’s going to get much worse with the closure of the bridge at Greenbridge. The daily commute is a headache and it must be affecting trade in the build up to Christmas. It’s the Grinch that stole Christmas.

The town centre had suffered from decades of neglect and was once full of pound stores or pawn brokers. But the recent financial investment has made the place a viable alternative to some of the nearby towns. It's now a place to go if you want some serious retail therapy but my fear is that people will stay away as the hassle of getting there is too much to bear. Surely the council can reschedule some of the works or temporarily suspend them during the crucial Christmas trading period.

The message that needs to be delivered is that Swindon is open for business.

Mark Evans Griffiths Close, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon