Drivers face a two-mile diversion through some of the busiest roads in Swindon when work in the new year closes a major route in town.

And it’s going to last for two months.

Wales and West Utilities will close Bridge End Road and Gipsy Lane between Swindon Road and Cirencester Way beginning in early January to upgrade gas pipes.

Swindon Borough Council will signpost a diversion and it is twice as long as the two closed roads, which are less than a mile in length.

The shortest route will see drivers at the Swindon Road end take the bridge over the railway line near the Dockle Farmhouse to the Greenbridge Roundabout, turn right into Drakes Way to the junction with Queen’s Drive and then right to Magic Roundabout.

After negotiating the mini roundabouts, the route heads north on County Road to the Transfer Bridge Roundabout, and right into Cirencester way to join Gipsy Lane.

That’s just over two miles, and at least five roundabouts, counting Magic Roundabout and Transfer Bridges as single entities.

And motorists are not thrilled at the prospect.

One, Dan Purvis said: “This will be a lot of fun. I use Bridge End Road now and again, but I go round Greenbridge Roundabout every day, sometimes four of five times.

“It gets pretty crowded already, with all the extra traffic it’ll be pretty clogged.”

Another, Phillip Sugden is a delivery driver. He joked: “As long as they don't do it before Christmas, I don't mind. To be serious, it's going to be a pain but I suppose these things need doing. Gas leaks aren't something you want."

Bosses from Wales and West Utilities are aware of the inconvenience the work will cause, but say it’s absolutely necessary.

Mick Gallavin from the company said: “ “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential. We’ll have a team of gas engineers on site to make sure our work is completed as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum.

“While most of the gas network is underground and out of sight, it plays a central role in the daily lives of people across the Swindon area.

“This work will not only keep the gas flowing safely and reliably today, it will also help make sure the gas network is fit for the future.”

Work will start on Monday January 6 and is expected to last until the beginning of March.