ROAD users are being warned to expected significant disruption from next week, when six weeks of work to improve the safety of the Wingfield crossroads near Trowbridge begins.

Wiltshire Council has confirmed that the work at the junction of the A366 and the B3109 will see traffic signals upgraded, road markings improved, kerbing works and the existing carriageway resurfaced.

Contractor Balfour Beatty Living Places has planned to carry out the work in four phases, although these are dependent on the weather and could also change due to any unforeseen circumstances.

There will be 24-hour, four-way temporary traffic signals from Monday (Sept 28) to November 6, while the A366 west of the junction will be closed from October 12-16 and the A366 east of the junction will be closed from October 19-30

The final road closure will see the A366 and B3109 closed at the junction between 9am and 3pm from November 2-6, with diversions to be clearly signed while road closures are in place.

Philip Whitehead, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways said: “We are committed to improving Wiltshire’s roads and are spending an additional £53m on major road maintenance over a five year period.

“There will be some short-term disruption while we complete these much needed works at the Wingfield crossroads, however the long-term benefits to motorists will be significant, with the completed works leaving a much improved and safer road surface.”

The council added that access for vehicles will be maintained wherever possible, however due to the nature of the works minor disruption is inevitable, especially while the road is being resurfaced.

Dedicated staff will be positioned at the ends of the closures to monitor access and give assistance to motorists and pedestrians.

Wiltshire councillor for Wingfield Magnus Macdonald said: “This work will link in with the speed mitigation work which will take place at the next stage and it will certainly make the junction safer.

“It will benefit Wingfield in the long term and stop people speeding through the area. It is a lot of road works, but that’s life. Either we have roads with pot holes or we do the work to sort them out.

“It’s a small inconvenience, but it would be a bigger inconvenience for a driver to lose their suspension after going over a pothole in the ground. The phasing of the lights should also prevent accidents. The area has needed this work doing for a long time and I welcome it.”