DRIVERS passing through Bradford on Avon face queues in both directions today due to major delays from roadworks in the town centre.

Wiltshire Council has begun work on improving safety for pedestrians crossing on the junction between Frome Road, St Margaret’s Street and Station Approach.

The works will affect through traffic in both directions using the B3109 Frome Road, St Margaret’s Street and the entrance to Station Approach for the next three weeks.

Monday morning drivers faced queues from every direction as a three-way temporary traffic light system was put into operation. These will be manually operated to try and minimise disruption.

Wiltshire Times:

Resident Cath Neathey said: “Don’t even think about driving through. Queues in every direction. Absolute nightmare.

Jackie Allan, the owner of Piha retail shop in Lamb Yard, added: “It will be interesting to see how this impacts local businesses.”

The Bradford on Avon and Melksham Health Partnership, which runs the health centre, messaged patients: “Please be aware there are roadworks in Bradford on Avon for the next three weeks. Therefore, please take this into consideration when leaving for your appointment.”

The roadworks follow a successful bid by Bradford on Avon Town Council and the local Community Area Transport Group. The project will see several improvements to the area, including:

  • Removal of the existing bollards and refuge islands on both Frome Road and St Margaret’s Street and their replacement with new islands providing more room for pedestrians;
  • Kerb changes to deter vehicles from overrunning the footpaths;
  • Installation of specialist surfaces and road markings on Station Approach to highlight the crossing area; and
  • Resurfacing of both the footpaths and carriageways throughout the junction.

For the final phase of improvements, from Tuesday, May 10, evening road closures will be in place from 6pm to midnight to enable the carriageway resurfacing to take place.

Access for emergency vehicles and exits from the station car park will be maintained during these closures, with traffic management operatives onsite to assist.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The Frome Road/Station Approach area is very busy with traffic accessing the station, and we want to ensure it is safe for the pedestrians.

“The Bradford on Avon Community Area Transport Group highlighted the junction as an area of concern and has concluded that these changes will help pedestrians to cross the road safely and make walking to the station easier.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience that these works may cause, and thank people for your patience and cooperation while the safety improvements are made.”