DRIVERS have faced lengthy delays this week, as contractors work to repair footpaths along Wootton Bassett Road.

The council say they have spent extra cash on the work – ensuring that temporary traffic lights are only in operation between 9.30am and 3.30pm, reducing the impact on peak traffic.

However, half term queues have stretched along Kingshill Road and Wootton Bassett Road to Mannington Roundabout.

The works began on Monday, January 29 and are expected to last eight weeks – finishing by March 26.

Ahead of the roadworks starting, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and place Mary Martin said that the works had been in the planning for two years.

She added: “The timing of the work is unfortunate for motorists who regularly use Wootton Bassett Road as it comes not long after the unexpected work by Thames Water to repair the burst water main.

“However, we have taken steps to minimise the disruption from our work as much as we can by reducing the working hours so they fall outside peak traffic times and we will be keeping a close eye on congestion throughout the works.

“I would encourage drivers to leave a little bit of extra time or to consider alternative routes if planning to use Wootton Bassett Road during off-peak hours.”

Old Town ward councillor Nadine Watts said: "It is good that the footpaths are being renewed as they were in a poor state, but it has caused a lot of traffic jams.  I am concerned that traffic may be tempted to use the alleyways and it is also adding to the pollution problem that has been identified on Kingshill.”