TOWN centre roadworks are putting drivers and pedestrians at risk because of exposed pot holes and safety barriers scattered across the road.

One road user, Simon Cheney, 47, of Mannington Lane, had a foot-and-a-half long dent put in the side of his three-week old car by barriers at the works in Regent Circus on Sunday.

Simon was following the road around into Clarence Street just before 7pm when he was forced to negotiate barriers across the road and the pot holes exposed as a result.

His car was hit by barriers blown over in the wind as he passed.

And he has been quoted almost £1,200 to repair the damage caused.

Simon, who was travelling with his children at the time, is concerned the poorly managed roadworks may lead to serious problems for other drivers and pedestrians if they are not dealt with.

“I drove down there about a week ago and it was a real mess. I had to drive right around them then, too. If I had come across any further I’d have been up on the kerb and scuffing my alloys,” he said.

“If it’s all blown over the road with debris everywhere, some inexperienced drivers could be making knee-jerk reactions and veering off to the side whilst there are people walking on the pavement.

“It’s a hot spot at night too. There are plenty of people walking around that area, coming from pubs, clubs and restaurants.

“And if they have had a few too many they might be stumbling all over the place.

“This isn’t the first time it’s been like that. There have been problems around that junction for a while.

“The council needs to put stronger methods in place for securing those barriers and ensuring it no longer happens.”

Swindon Council’s website states the roadworks began on May 20 of this year and will run until March 3 in 2014.

James Pringle, 21, a supervisor at Rudis in Regent Circus, said: “It’s not very secure, it’s all fallen down most of the time, especially when I finish work in the evenings.”

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “The work outside Kingsbridge Point will make the area more pedestrian friendly and will see the footpath widened and a new crossing installed.

“The barriers around the work are weighted down at the base and sandbags are being used to provide further stability.

“Traffic cones have also been placed in front of the barriers, which are inspected on a regular basis.

“We suspect the barriers were deliberately pushed over during the weekend as it would take considerable force to move them.

“Our contractor has put the barriers back in place but, unfortunately, there is little we can do if vandals are intent on targeting them in this way.”