Confusion over a road closure is causing residents in Rodbourne Cheney - especially those wanting to catch buses - dismay and even anger.

Road closed signs were placed at the side of the carriageway in Moredon Road just west of the roundabout with Rodbourne Cheney Road.

That was in anticipation of work by Thames Water due to start on Tuesday and to continue until Thursday.

But the water company had told residents, when they inquired, that the work has been postponed indefinitely.

Buses were still not being routed down the road, however, on Tuesday morning. While a diversion had been put in place and advertised, many who were not aware had to be told by others while they were waiting at stops.

A spokesman for Swindon's  Bus Company said: “We are not running buses down that road, because we have been told not to by Swindon Borough Council.

“We haven’t been told by Thames Water that work isn’t going to happen, so for all we know they might turn up at any minute and close the road.

“We are getting loads of complaints about not running buses down this route, but unless Swindon Borough Council and Thames Water tell us different we have to stick to the diversion.”

One woman waiting for a bus at the junction, who did not wish to give her name, was not impressed: “I have to take my 91-year-old mother to the hairdresser. She can’t walk from the diversion.

“It’s ridiculous. Somebody should sort this out, and get buses running along here again.”

Chairman of the Rodbourne Cheney Residents’ Association Richard Kimber said the confusion had been worse before he went out and turned the road closed signs around.

He said: “They were at the side of the road, ready to be put in the middle of the road by Thames Water when they started the work. They were coming to do spot work after there was a burst main in the road in January.

“That didn’t happen, but there were drivers who were very confused, and stopping in the middle of the road – they weren’t sure if the road was closed or not. After about three hours with nobody coming I went out and I turned the signs around, so they were still there if needed, but weren’t confusing people.”

“It was a real shambles.”

A spokesman for Swindon Borough Council said the matter was one for Thames Water.
Thames Water has not been able to respond to a request for comment by the time of filing.