THE realisation that only a small section of the A361 in Trowbridge has been resurfaced, despite a four-day closure which caused huge rush-hour tailbacks, has angered motorists – who are now wondering what will happen when the 'full resurfacing' Wiltshire Council is promising takes place next summer.
"I find it absolutely bizarre that it was shut for so long and they did so little," said Cllr Ernie Clark, who represents Hilperton.
"It really is baffling and simply not good enough.
"I cannot understand what is going on and I am very disappointed that there has been so little contact about this. It has been absolute chaos and drivers deserve better.
"Nobody from the council's highways department or the contractors has been in touch with me about this. It seems everyone is being kept in the dark.
"I believe it was put off last year too. I don't know if they are waiting for the death of a cyclist before they get their act together.
"It is lethal for cyclists along there. The centre lines are fading badly, the cat's eyes are useless and there are potholes all over – it is just an accident waiting to happen."
The road between Trowbridge Rugby Club and Semington was closed between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Thursday last week and huge queues built up each day through Staverton and Hilperton and on the A350 at West Ashton, Stoney Gutter and Yarnbrook.
When the road did finally reopen on Thursday afternoon, motorists and cyclists discovered that only a tiny stretch had been finished, with patches of work completed in between.
Many drivers are disappointed with the surface.
One said: "After all we have had to put up with this week, it is disappointing to see that only a section has been resurfaced.
"It makes you wonder whether they are going to close it again to do the rest."
A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: "We did not want to disrupt local businesses any more than we had to at this stage.
"The work in front of the rugby club was to resurface the section in the worst condition, and we took the opportunity to repair sections of the road where there was structural failure in advance of the full resurfacing to be carried out next summer.
"We will be doing everything we can to ensure that this work has a minimal effect on peak hour traffic and businesses.
"We thank motorists and local people for their patience while we carry out this essential maintenance."
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