PEDESTRIANS normally forced to squeeze along the narrow pavement of Rodbourne Road found themselves walking down the middle of the road on Monday morning.

But drivers who had missed the yellow signs announcing the closure of the road were forced to perform a quick u-turn.

The road is now closed for the next four weeks while Network Rail replaces one of the rail bridges that passes over the road, and removes a redundant one.

Writing to residents Tamison Painter, Network Rail’s community relations executive, said: “The rail bridge crossing Rodbourne Road is life expired and is subject to defects present in the main structural elements. It is no longer cost effective to repair the bridge and now requires full replacement. If the structure continues to deteriorate any further, it will present a risk to rail users and the general public who use Rodbourne Road each day.”

A signed diversion is in place. Which directs drivers towards the Transfer Bridges and the Magic Roundabout.

During the closure Swindon Borough Council will be monitoring the traffic levels and revealed at the end of last week that they were considering opening the bus gates at either end of Penzance Drive in a bid to alleviate congestion, although no announcement has yet been made on when this will happen.

Thamesdown Transport has said that a number of its services will be affected by the work and has issued revised routes for some of its services that normally pass along Rodbourne Road.

Thamesdown Services 1/1A, 13, 14, 19/19A, 19B, 22 and 27 will be diverted. Additionally, a temporary Service 26 will run for the duration of the road closure to serve Rodbourne and the Outlet Village.

During this period, buses will be unable to serve the Paddington Drive bus stop on Penzance Drive. Passengers who normally use this stop are advised to use the Outlet Village bus stop.

The Outlet Village, and The Dolphin and the Summers Street bus stops on Rodbourne Road will only be served by temporary Service 26, which will run to and from the town centre every 30 minutes via Rodbourne Road, Great Western Way and Whitehouse Bridge.

Passengers who normally travel into the town centre from Summers Street and The Dolphin will need to use the stops on the opposite side of the road.

Services 1/1A, 19B and 27 will be diverted both ways between Mannington Roundabout and Dean Street via Wootton Bassett Road, Westcott Place and Park Lane.

Services 13 and 14 will be diverted both ways between Scarborough Road and Fleming Way via Great Western Way and Whitehouse Bridge.

Services 19/19A will be diverted both ways between Bridgemead Sainsbury’s and Dean Street via Wootton Bassett Road, Westcott Place and Park Lane.

Service 22 will be diverted both ways between Barnfield Road and Fleming Way via Great Western Way and Whitehouse Bridge.

Network Rail expects the work to be completed by May 15.