Traffic delays and diversions are expected for weeks in Westbury as work starts this month on repairing and resurfacing the A350 from one end of the town to the other.
Work starts at the end of September on the stretch of road between the Co-op/Bitham Park roundabout and the Market Place when traffic will be restricted to one lane, controlled by traffic lights.
Then on Monday 27th October that same stretch of road will be closed for four weeks while carriageway reconstruction and drainage repairs takes place. The work on this stretch will involve reconstruction and resurfacing of the carriageway, footway and kerbing works, drainage repairs, replacement of road markings and the adjustment of ironwork like drain covers.
Work will then begin on patching the route from the Market Place right through to the roundabout with Laverton Road at Chalford. This will entail a day’s closure of Haynes Road on 24th November and another four days’ closure between Haynes Road/A350 roundabout and the junction with Laverton Road from 25th to 28th November.
The work, which will cost more than £300,000, should be completed by 28th November, with contractors working weekends to ensure the work is finished on time.
Wiltshire Council says that people living along the route will receive letters two weeks before the start of the work, and residents will be able to get access to their homes but may sometimes face slight delays if plant has to be moved. Signs will be in place advising that local businesses will be open as usual.
Work has already started on alerting heavy traffic about the diversion around the town – this goes via Southwick. Advance warning notices will be on major roads as far away as West Lavington, Melksham and Warminster to ensure motorists are aware of the planned closures.
The road closures are to ensure the new road surface is fully set, and dedicated traffic management operatives will be at the extent of the closures to help monitor access and give motorists assistance.
Westbury town councillor David Tout, who is on the Highways, Planning & Development committee said, “The closure of the A350 through Westbury is due to necessary planned roadworks. The town council was notified of this plan some 18 months ago as part of the Highways Authority/Wiltshire Council plan for planned roadworks.
“The closure is planned for complete closure during the night and part closure during the day. Whilst this will cause disruption to the users of the A350, the roadworks are necessary and will cut down the noise pollution to the residents who live along the A350.
“Recently, parts of the A350 within the town have disintegrated, namely Haynes Road/Warminster Road junction, and needed constant repairing. Will these closures affect the town’s trading, who knows? Yes it will it affect the 265, 58, 58A, 58B, 58C and 87 bus services in the town. We will all have to be a little more patient during these closures and allow a little more time when travelling.
“I am fully supportive of this roadworks plan and its necessary closures.”
