Thames Water engineers have been forced to deal with four separate incidents in town that caused numerous traffic problems throughout the day.

A burst water mains took place along Thames Avenue at the junction with Blunsdon Road at 8am with police immediately closing the road with traffic being diverted along Moredon Road.

But another burst water main soon blocked that road as well, with water shooting at least 12 feet into the air on the street.

Later Blunsdon Road was also reported to be flooding but by 11:30am, the road had reopened.

Just before 4pm, the town council warned drivers that yet another mains had burst, this time on the busy Mead Way which was also seeing work undertaken.

A spokesman said it would take 'two or three days to fix'.

As part of the repairs, which are not connected to the overall improvement works, the fixed traffic lights have been turned off and temporary traffic lights are now at the Mead Way/Westmead junction.

"This means that the junction will not be running as efficiently as it should during the works," a spokesman said.

"The work must be completed to improve the strength of the overall water network in Swindon, and is required before work on the bus stops can progress.

"Please give extra time for your journey if you plan to drive through the area."

 

Thames Avenue had already been shut since January 15 due to a separate issue with the water supply.

It was originally supposed to reopen on Friday, but it is now due to open on Wednesday. The burst water main last weekend caused havoc as emergency services had to be called.

Engineers were seen resurfacing the road along Thames Avenue on Tuesday morning, with workers also carrying out maintenance on Moredon Road.

Traffic was queuing this morning as motorists were diverted away from the diversion and down Akers Way, Purton Road and Manor Road.

Thames Water have been asked about the cause of the spate of incidents but did not respond before publication.