Swindon traffic: Everything we know as flooding causes gridlock

The problems started sometime in the early hours of Friday morning and by 7am, both Mead Way and Great Western Way had, according to at least one member of the public, been 'turned into rivers'. 

LIVE BLOG: Updates as Swindon roads closed due to flooding

Wiltshire Police acted quickly to close the roads off to traffic, but photos show that at least one motorist who was there before the closures was forced to abandon their car at the Meads roundabout, which was the source of the flooding. 

A car abandoned at the Meads roundabout after encountering flooding (Image: Kirsty Weatherley)The road closure was in place on both roads, with Mead Way closed from Stonehill Green to The Meads Roundabout, as well as the KFC slip-road and Great Western Way Eastbound closed from The Meads Roundabout to B4289 Rodbourne Road. 

Thames Water was on the scene at around 9am on Friday morning, and has been working to resolve the issue ever since, although an update from Swindon Borough Council revealed that 'significant damage had been caused'. 

Locals needing to travel in the area appear to have been diverted through Westlea and have reported extensive delays, with Swindon Bus Company also confirming that routes in the area were experiencing further waits of up to thirty minutes.

An area of the Meads roundabout still heavily flooded as workers work to fix the situation (Image: Newsquest)One motorist said: "I had an important meeting this morning, but I was late for that. I'm now dreading driving back home after work and I've been hoping and praying they get the road open before then."

Another described the situation as 'chaotic'

And a third person said: "With the flood on Great Western Way ALL roads around the area are blocked solid. Don’t move unless you have to!"

A Thames Water spokesperson has apologised for the inconvenience caused.

They said: “We’re sorry for the disruption caused by a large burst water main on Mead Way in Swindon this morning.

"The main has been shut in and the water is starting to drain away.

"Our engineers are starting to repair the pipe and we’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”

Workers at the Meads roundabout fixing a burst water main (Image: Newsquest)A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson added: "We are working closely with Thames Water to ensure this is rectified and roads reopened as soon as possible, however, the damage caused is significant.

"A further update will be sent as the works progress."

As of 2pm it is not yet known when the area will be returned to normal.