The White Hart roundabout roadworks that began in August have seen significant progress over the last month. 

The initial plans for the necessary repairs called for the area to be closed for three months, but an additional four weeks were added, meaning disruption in the area could well extend into Christmas.

Swindon Borough Council recently announced that Osborne Infrastructure Ltd, the contractors carrying out the works, have finished reconstructing the foundation and structural base of the roundabout, 

This is what led to the three month closure in the first place after it was discovered that there were ‘significant defects.’

Road resurfacing work is set to continue alongside the construction of a new northbound A419 slip road between White Hart roundabout and the new rail bridge and surfacing of the now widened A420 westbound exit. 

These latest developments seem to set the project on course to complete by the new extended deadline of four months from when they began. 
Gary Sumner, Ridgeway ward councillor and cabinet member for strategic infrastructure and planning was pleased but wanted to thank members of the public for their patience. 

“I am really pleased we are making good progress on the repairs and resurfacing of the roundabout and we are on track for reopening it at the end of the month, which is great news for local residents and businesses.

“I would like to thank the local community for their patience over the last three months because closing this busy junction has caused huge inconvenience to a lot of people. 

“However, the roundabout closure was necessary to enable the work to be carried out safely and to ensure our contractor was able to keep to our schedule of reopening the road by the end of November.

“We have some additional work still to complete, including on the slip roads, but we will provide an update on the reopening of the White Hart junction  as soon as we are able.” 

Stratton St Margaret and South Marston councillor Russell Holland echoed that sentiment. 

“As a local resident who lives off Oxford Road I understand that these road works have been extremely challenging.  

As a councillor I am really sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused everyone. 

“I have been raising issues in respect of the issues that we have had with the traffic lights and other concerns throughout the process.  I have also highlighted the importance of the council improving its communications on roadworks and I’m pleased that this got recognition at the recent scrutiny meeting.  

“I can assure residents that these works are necessary in preparation for the Eastern Villages and it’s good that the council has been successful in getting funding to get the right infrastructure in place before the houses are built. It does feel like we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”