The leader of Swindon Borough Council David Renard, and his deputy Gary Sumner were invited to apologise to a small businessman for damage to his business caused by roadworks.

Labour’s chairman of scrutiny Jim Robbins brought a motion to council asking for a pause in major roads projects for six months after the completion of significant schemes like Mead Way, the White Hart Roundabout and Moonrakers’ junction which have all suffered delays.

Having been told definitively by Coun Sumner that Mead Way will be opened by the end of the month he said: "While I’m pleased for residents and businesses that Mead Way is finally reopening, the delays and costs that have been forced onto residents and local businesses are unacceptable and more work needs to be done to stop this happening again in the future. Too many Swindon roadworks have been delayed in recent years such as Greenbridge, Bruce Street Bridges, the Moonrakers junction, White Hart roundabout and now Mead Way. I really hope that residents remember these delays and who was responsible when they think about the councillors they choose to represent them in May.

Coun Robbins’ motion also called for a block on work on official diversions during work and much better communications to residents.

He said: “Nobody is saying the delays to Mead Way is all this administration’s fault, but when thing do wrong send a letter to people, outline the problem and set out a new realistic timetable for the works. The people of West Swindon would have loved that. I’m sure the people of Stratton St Margaret would have loved that with regard to the White Hart Roundabout.”

Coun Robbins said the council had put out 13 different deadlines and said: “That has had real consequences.” He referred to the case of Andy Young who runs Swindon Electrical Supplies on Westmead Trading Estate, who told the Adver delays to the roadworks will put him out of business.

He said: “We have massively let him down. Will you personally apologise to him? .”

Coun Sumner said he had told Coun Robbins at a scrutiny committee meeting in October there would be a pause: “You learned there will be a pause before the next major projects. It’s not always possible to ensure that utilities don’t need to do work on a diversionary route. We have said one of the lessons learnt from these issues has been better and clearer communications."

Both Couns Renard and Sumner expressed regret for Mr Youngs troubles.

Coun Robbins’ motion was defeated as Conservative members outvoted Labour.