DRIVERS in Trowbridge are set to face traffic disruptions and diversions next week when a main route through the town is closed.

Heavy goods vehicle drivers in particular will face a long diversion when resurfacing works begin in Stallard Street for five days from Monday.

The works will take place between the A363 Trinity roundabout junction and the B3106/ Bythesea Road roundabout and the entrance to Station Approach.

They will involve repairs to the existing carriageway, the installation of new road markings and the adjustment of surface ironwork.

The work was put back from March 2-6 because of fears it would cause "complete and utter gridlock" to traffic across the town.

Work should be completed by Friday, July 31. Contractors will work between 7am and 6pm.

Trowbridge Town Council said: “Due to the depth of carriageway works being undertaken, however, on occasion the works may overrun due to uncontrollable circumstances such as plant breakdowns, unfavourable weather conditions, or due to discovery of the need for additional repairs once the work has started.

“There will be advance information signs erected on site giving confirmed start dates. Due to the nature of the works and the local environment, the works will be carried out within a temporary road closure, to ensure that adequate health and safety is maintained for both the contractor and local residents. Road markings may need to be completed at a later date.”

There will be two diversion routes for ‘through’ traffic that would normally use Stallard Street, whilst the works are being undertaken within the road closure.

These are:

Vehicles under 18t: A363 Bythesea Road, A361 County Way, A361 Bradley Road, Frome Road, Newtown, Stallard Street roundabout and vice versa.

Vehicles 18t and over: A363 Bythesea Road, A361 County Way, A361 Bradley Road, A361 Frome Road, B3109 Bradford Road, Rode Hill, B3109 Bradford Road, A366 Wingfield Road, Stallard Street roundabout; and vice versa.

The contractor will maintain pedestrian access while work is taking place; but depending upon what operation is being undertaken and where it’s being undertaken when accessing or egressing from their premises in vehicles, they may experience a delay and have to wait for plant to be moved out of the carriageway.

When leaving their premises, people are being advised to allow extra time for any possible delays.

When returning to their premises, there will be traffic management workers located at the extents of the works to assist them.

The council added: “There will be points during the material laying process where access will be restricted as vehicles will not be able to drive over the newly-laid material.

“Early trafficking could lead to premature failure, therefore if works are being undertaken in the vicinity of your premises it is suggested that you speak to the workforce in advance to ask if there will be any restrictions with regarding access.”

The works include resurfacing past the Station Approach junction mouth and resurfacing into Station Approach.

During the period when work is being carried out in the vicinity of Station Approach, vehicular access will be restricted to the rail station car park as customers will be unable to drive over the newly laid material, therefore the car park and taxi rank will in principle be closed during this period.

When working away from Station Approach, the contractor will maintain pedestrian access for train station users.

Depending upon the operation being undertaken and its location, rail station users may find that when entering or exiting the car park in their vehicle, delays may be experienced.

During the works, a road closure will be erected on A363 Bythesea Road & the A363/ B3106 roundabout, involving closure of the two westbound lanes between the A363 ASDA roundabout and the A363/ B3106 roundabout and the half of the A363/ B3106 roundabout which is closest to Station Approach.

This is required to allow resurfacing of Stallard Street up to the roundabout give way, also a safe working zone for the workforce and plant. No resurfacing will take place within this section.

The main diversion route for all ‘through’ traffic whilst works are being undertaken will be A363 Bythesea Road, A361 County Way, A361 Hilperton Road, Hilperton Relief Road/ Elizabeth Way, Canal Road, The Down, Islington, B3106 Prospect Place, Conigre, Fore Street, Wicker Hill, B3106 Stallard Street.

This route is only required for traffic travelling westbound on Bythesea Road, towards Stallard Street.

Traffic travelling from Stallard Street, eastbound onto and then along Bythesea Road can still travel as they usually would.

Signing will be in place advising that businesses will be open as usual.