DRIVERS in Bradford on Avon have faced lengthy delays this week because of road closures, while Wiltshire Council lays a new type of surface which should mean the new road lasts longer.

It is the first time the Hardipave surfacing has been used on a main road in the county – but it needs 24 hours to set, which is why some town centre roads have been closed for so long.

Hardipave is designed to withstand concentrated traffic volumes and loadings and fuel spillages, and is being used for the carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing works in Market Street and Masons Lane, part of the busy A363 route through Bradford on Avon.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “It will cover Market Street from the Newtown junction down to Silver Street. The surface has a longer life as the large chippings and bitumen covered with cement grout makes it fuel resistant and water resistant – this means we shouldn’t have to resurface again here for some time.

“Weather conditions do need to be dry and above freezing to lay the surface and it takes 24 hours to harden to reach its full strength before traffic can use it.”

Drivers trying to get through Bradford on Avon have faced long delays this week, and once the Market Street works are finished contractors will turn their attention to resurfacing Silver Street up to the Holt Road junction, the other major route through the town.

Lengthy diversions are being signposted through the town centre, sending drivers around through Trowbridge, Holt and Staverton.

While some business owners have been affected by the work, others agreed it was necessary. “The traffic was a bit chaotic on Monday, but people who are just using the town as a through route have found alternate routes,” said James Sullivan-Tailyour, manager of The Swan Hotel.

He praised the help contractors had given local businesses and said trade had been reasonable despite the works.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman urged drivers to find alternative routes if possible or, if they can’t, to follow the signposted diversions to avoid the roadworks in the town centre.

He said: “We apologise for the inconvenience while this essential work is taking place. We would advise people to find alternative routes if at all possible.”

On Monday, early morning rush hour traffic tailed back as far as the Westwood turn-off from the Frome Road and it was taking more than 20 minutes to reach the town centre.

This week the A363 through Market Street and Masons Lane has been closed from 7am to 6pm. Traffic is being diverted via B3109 Mount Pleasant, New Road and Springfield to the B3107 Holt Road, Woolley Street and Silver Street and vice versa.

The 24-hour road closure planned for the Market Street/Silver Street mini-roundabout on Sunday has been postponed because of the weather.

Further closures from 7am to 6pm on Silver Street were originally scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, March 21, 22 and 23. It is not known whether these will still be required, as the original plans have changed. The works are due to finish by Friday, March 23.