PLANS to close part of a key road in Trowbridge from March 2-6 have been postponed to the summer.

The work to resurface part of Stallard Street has been put back because of fears it would cause "complete and utter gridlock" to traffic across the town.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, cabinet member for highways, said: “Due to the underlying condition of the road, we need to carry out deep excavation work.

"Unfortunately the scale of the work required means it cannot be carried out on a Sunday.

“We have taken the decision to postpone these works until the school summer holidays to minimise disruption as traffic flows will be reduced at that time of year. There will also be more hours of daylight to complete this work in a timely fashion.

“There is never a good time to do this, and with limited road capacity and restricted diversion routes some disruption will be inevitable.

“In the meantime we will be carrying out repairs as necessary to deal with the road’s deteriorating condition and to ensure it remains safe.”

Wiltshire Council plans to close part of Stallard Street from its junction with Station Approach. it would cover the stretch over the railway bridge towards The Shires shopping centre.

It will enable the county's highway contractors to re-surface the road and carry out associated maintenance works.

Trowbridge Town Council chief executive and town clerk Lance Allan had protested strongly about the proposed closure.

He said: "To have this significant route closed for a whole week during the day-time will cause complete and utter grid lock across the whole town."

Mr Allan said that, usually, these programmes are carried out at night-time to avoid disrupting traffic during the peak daytime hours.

But Wiltshire council wanted to carry out the work from 7am to 7pm for five days from March 2-6.

The work would block through traffic using the A363 Stallard Street to access The Shires shopping centre and County Hall in Bythesea Road.

The council would set up diversion routes for local traffic via the unaffected length of the:A363 to Newtown, Frome Road, the A361 and vice versa.

Locals would probably avoid some of the diversion by cutting through Mortimer Street.

The road through Newtown has an 18-tonne weight restriction so HGVs would be unable to use it.

They would have to use an alternative route along the unaffected length of the A363 to the A366 Wingfield Road and the B3109 Frome Road to the A361 Frome Road and vice versa.

When the work goes ahead, the closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

Wiltshire Council said: "It is anticipated 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."