Staverton roadworks on B3105 could hit local businesses

The Old Bear Inn and the Michael Blake Racing yard are just two of the businesses at Staverton likely to see trade impacted by the partial closure of the B3105.

On July 26 Wessex Water engineers closed a 500-metre stretch of the road between the slipway near the Cereal Partners Worldwide factory complex and the Staverton railway bridge.

They are laying new plastic water pipes in a five-month project which ends in mid-December to replace the degrading cast-iron mains.

Access is being maintained for residents and businesses, as well as for emergency service and refuse collection vehicles.

But some of the businesses fear that some customers and visitors may be deterred while the work is taking place.

The Old Bear Inn at Staverton. Photo: Trevor Porter 70015-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Phil Kent, manager of The Old Bear Inn, is adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach over the next week to see how badly his trade will be impacted.

He said: “It is likely to be massively affected but I think we need to give it at least a week.

“The road has only been closed for 24 hours, so it is too soon to tell. A week’s trading will give us a better idea.”

A notice board outside The Old Bear Inn at Staverton tells customers they are still open for business despite the B3105 road closure. Photo: Trevor Porter 70015-3 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Michael Blake, together with his wife Sharon, owns the of Michael Blake Racing yard next to The Old Bear.

Michael and Sharon Blake say they may soon have only one way in and out of the road outside their horse racing yard. (Image: Michael Blake Racing)

He said: “It’s not affecting us at this stage because they are letting everyone through.

“But without doubt it will affect us later when we can only get in and out one way. At present, they are being quite liberal in allowing people through.”

Engineers have set up road closed and access only signs at each end of the road closure and were having to turn drivers back on the first day of the works.

The road closure is likely to lead to an increase in traffic, congestion and delays in both Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge as drivers seek alternative routes.

Separate diversions are in place, with the A363, A361, A350, the A365 and the B3105 and B3109 expected to see an increase in HGV traffic, and the B3105, A361, A350, B3107 and B3016 taking lighter traffic.

The diversion routes for the road closure at Staverton. Image: Wessex Water (Image: Wessex Water)

With the alternative road linking the two towns shut for almost half a year, additional traffic on the A363 will be forced to meet motorists coming from Newtown and Frome as they enter Trowbridge at Stallard Street.

In Bradford on Avon, traffic was backing up on July 26 along the B3109 Frome Road as far as Elms Cross as motorists encountered the diversion signs on the B3107 Holt Road.

The move follows a series of water mains bursts along the B3105, which now takes more HGV traffic following the Cleveland Bridge closure in Bath and the introduction of that city’s Clean Air Zone. 

Diversions have been signposted, including for HGVs and light vehicles, to enable drivers to avoid the area while the work is taking place.

Eddie Rant, Wessex Water’s director of construction and infrastructure maintenance, said: “With what is clearly a major project, we’re working closely both with the local community and Wiltshire Council to ensure we keep disruption to a minimum and get this work completed as quickly and safely as possible."

Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by Wessex Water’s essential work which is being delivered to address longstanding issues in Staverton.

“As the Local Highway Authority, we work hard to coordinate works and minimise disruption for road users, while also accommodating utility companies’ needs to upgrade and maintain their systems.”