Wessex Water works stopped on A361 amid ‘absolute chaos’ in Trowbridge

Motorists faced long delays as they tried to get through during the peak early morning rush hour after Wessex Water began digging up the road on the roundabout near Elizabeth Way and Hilperton.

The company installed four-way lights on the roundabout while working to provide mains pipes for up to 165 new homes at Bellway’s Weavers Meadow housing development on Elizabeth Way and it resulted in a build-up of traffic.

Some drivers began jumping the traffic lights on red and later complained on on local social media about the road works causing “absolute chaos”.

In the end, Wiltshire Council asked the Bath-based utility company to suspend its works and provide a revised traffic management plan.

A combination of tree cutting and Wessex Water road works led to traffic delays at the A361 Hilperton roundabout outside Trowbridge. Photo: Trevor Porter 70525-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

One person commented: “What absolute chaos yesterday on the Fieldways roundabout! Temporary traffic lights on every exit causing really long tailbacks.

“Cars were jumping the lights and apart from being dangerous they were making matters much worse.

“Obviously, there are safety issues as to why each exit was closed but warning signs should be a lot earlier so that drivers can find alternative routes to their destination.”

One woman said: “Excellent decision, glad to see common sense prevails.

“Clearly the original traffic management plan didn’t take into account that anyone actually might want to drive on the road.”

A man commented: “Completely stuck in this yesterday morning it was chaos and so many jumping the lights.”

Another said: “Thank god!! Absolute nightmare.”

Another woman added: “Went into town from the top of Victoria Road, right towards town then towards Westbury and left towards Paxcroft. More lights at Budgens stuck on red. Absolute chaos!”

However, one person jumped to the defence of the engineers, saying: “Contractors doing it seem to get a lot of abuse from motorists. It’s not their fault they are providing a service and doing a job.”

Wessex Water has been approached for a comment.

A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “We are working with Wessex Water to resolve the traffic issues experienced this morning on the A361 Hilperton roundabout and have asked them to halt their work until they can provide us with a revised traffic management plan, which we will consider before allowing them back on the network.

“They are now working to fill in any holes they have dug and will leave the site as soon as possible, but this may take until tomorrow morning, so people should expect delays this evening and tomorrow morning and may wish to find an alternative route.”