A MAJOR four-week road closure is set to begin today, sending drivers on an eight-mile diversion as locals brace for travel “chaos”.
The shutdown is to allow vital maintenance work to take place, but has sparked concerns that motorists will be forced onto “unsuitable” routes.
Wales and West Utilities has announced a road closure will come into force today so they can carry out legally required upgrades to a gas main.
The restrictions are expected to last for up to four weeks while the work is completed.
As a result, drivers won’t be able to access Hook Street via the Coped Hall junction in Swindon, Wiltshire during that time.
This is because, according to the council’s Highways Team, all gas companies are required to “replace all their metallic mains” by 2030 if they are within 30 meters of a residential property.
Officials were quick to emphasise that the work will make use of a “moling technique” rather than open trenches, which cuts the delay from around six weeks.
But locals are concerned about significant disruption breaking out as a result.
Cllr Steve Bucknell from Wiltshire County Council claimed there was a “likelihood of chaos” thanks to the closure.
He wrote to the council’s Highways Team to raise these issues, with no success.
He said: “Unfortunately [the Highways Team] cannot delay the closure or reduce it to traffic lights.”
Residents are particularly concerned about access to a nearby care home, hotel and the village hall.
They have also suggested that the eight-mile diversion around the closed junction could force drivers onto “unsuitable” smaller roads, including residential streets and country lanes.
But the Highways Team insisted that the diversion was necessary to prevent traffic backing up onto the nearby M4, which would be “exceedingly dangerous”.
A spokesperson said: “This work will help them ensure a reliable gas supply to their homes and reduce the risk of leaks/bursts within 30 meters of their property.
“Wiltshire Council needs these works completed and off the network by the beginning of the year as we have other works queued up that need to use this route as part of their diversion route.
“They are unable to reduce the program any further – they would if they could.
“The works cannot be undertaken during the school holidays as the duration is too long, and they cannot be delayed until the summer holidays.”
