Drivers diverted as Victoria Road is closed
8:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News
Drivers diverted as Victoria Road is closed
DRIVERS are bracing themselves for traffic chaos from today after one of the main roads in Old Town was closed yesterday.
Barriers were put in place yesterday afternoon in Victoria Road at the junction with Stanley Street, for work to repair a portion of collapsed sewer in the centre of the road.
Motorists are able to drive up to the cordon on either side, but are not able to get past.
Capagh Group construction, which has been commissioned by Thames Water to carry out the work, says it has a target date for completion of September 16.
A spokesman for Thames Water said: “This collapse has caused sewer flooding in the area, so we will have to close the road to traffic while we carry out this essential work.
“We estimate this job will take around a week and are very sorry for the inconvenience caused.”
One driver, Dave Nolan, of Cirencester, was driving up to Old Town when the barriers were put in place.
He said: “I didn’t know anything about it, but then I don’t live in Swindon so I wouldn’t expect to.
“But it is a bit of a pain, I don’t know the town that well so I will probably get a bit muddled.
“It must be a nightmare for the businesses and residents on the road.”
Another driver, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I was expecting the road to be closed during rush hour on Monday so I took a different route to work, but the whole town seemed pretty congested because there are roadworks everywhere.”
The recommended diversion route from the top of Victoria Road will take motorists along Devizes Road, Newport Street, High Street, Cricklade Street, Drove Road and Groundwell Road The route for traffic travelling from the bottom of Victoria Road will follow the same diversion.
All businesses along the road are open as normal.
Thamesdown Transport has announced that all buses that use Victoria Road will be diverted for about six days due to the roadworks.
Details of the nearest alternative stops are shown on all of the stops concerned or online at www.thamesdownbus.com
Comments(4)
Ringer
says...
8:51am Tue 11 Sep 12
As ever, it just goes to show the lamentable lack of investment in our road infrastructure. They just about work on a good day, but throw in some major roadworks and an accident or two and the whole town grinds to a halt.
Sir Fawn Maker
says...
9:21am Tue 11 Sep 12
I did have to laugh seeing some of the stagecoach buses having to do a 15 point turn to get back down the hill when the drivers didn't read the closed signs
Couldn't the police go there and book everyone having to do a u-turn as, having ignored all the closure signs, they're clearly driving without due care and attention?
itsamess3
says...
7:13pm Tue 11 Sep 12
How on earth would buses ignore this when the bus services claim to have been pre-warned--unbeliev
able that so many drivers ignore all the signs.
umpcah says...
8:48am Tue 11 Sep 12