PLANS to close the A350 through Westbury for up to a month for resurfacing of the key trunk route are likely to cause major disruption to local residents and through traffic, it was disclosed today.

The temporary closure is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 13 and will last almost a month up to Friday, October 11.

Westbury Town Council is so concerned about the plans it has called two public meetings at The Laverton town council offices on Monday, August 19.

Wiltshire Council’s highways officials, consultants Atkins and Tarmac, the contractor for the works, have been asked to attend the first event, which is timed to start at 2pm.

The second at 7pm during the Highways, Planning and Development Committee meeting will have only representatives from Wiltshire Council present.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “The closures will be phased, we are currently making the final preparations to the phasing order and working windows.

“There will be local diversions around the town for light vehicles, however due to the weight restrictions HGV vehicles will have to travel via the A36.

“Access will be maintained as far as possible for businesses and residents but there may be times when access is not possible due to the depth of excavations and the ongoing working operations.

“The high street will have access for as long as we can maintain it as it is a one-way system with residents and businesses having no alternative access to their properties.

“There may be a few hours where access is not possible and we are looking at the hours to do this phase.”

The temporary closure will affect the A350 from part of the Trowbridge Road to the West End, Haynes Road and Warminster Road.

Phase 1 will affect part of the Trowbridge Road from its junction with Bitham Park to its junction with West End, and West End from its junction with Trowbridge Road to its junction with Haynes Road.

Phase 2 will affect Haynes Road from its junction with West End to its junction with the Warminster Road.

Phase 3 will affect the Warminster Road from its junction with Haynes Road to its junction with Laverton Road.

While the A350 is closed, Tarmac will carry out carriageway resurfacing, patching works, road marking and adjustment of iron works.

The alternative route is via A350 (unaffected length) – A36 - A361 – Wynsome Street – Goose Street – Bradley Road –Southwick Road – Westbury Road – A363 and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions.

Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works.