A MAJOR road closure that’s seen traffic diverted some seven miles has been labelled an “absolute nightmare” by locals.
The ensuing chaos is even starting to affect pupils travelling to a nearby school.
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Coped Hall, which connects Royal Wootton Bassett to Hook, as well as Purton and Lydiard Millicent, all in Swindon, was closed from November 18 for mains replacement works.
But after pressure from locals, Wiltshire Council has agreed to bring in additional help to get the works finished ahead of the planned four-week closure.
Currently, a 7.5-mile diversion route has been put in place of the road – causing huge issues for locals who use the road for their commute and impacting teachers and schoolchildren in the area.
The temporary route sees those who usually travel along Coped Hall and Hook Road to reach Lydiard Park Academy now forced to use Swindon Road, cross the M4, and travel through Swindon along Whitehill Way and Tewkesbury Way.
According to the Swindon Advertiser, locals have dubbed the route as an “absolute nightmare” and “completely insane”.
A statement by a spokesperson for Lydiard Park Academy in Swindon said: “Today, several pupils and staff were affected arriving to school on time.
“Please be aware that due to a road closure between Royal Wootton Bassett and Hook, travel times have been affected in the local area.
“Please allow extra time for your journey over potentially the next four weeks while works continue.”
In response, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said: “We had a good meeting with Wales and West yesterday and they have agreed to bring in some additional resources at the expense of other planned works from Tuesday to Sunday next week.
“This team will work on the Royal Wootton Bassett side of the roundabout.
“If all goes to plan by midweek the following week or sooner, work on Hook side of the roundabout will be complete and the road will be opened.
“The three-way traffic system will be reduced to two-way on the Royal Wootton Bassett side to complete the laying of the new main and tying in with the works they completed in the summer.”
Councillor Bucknell has publicly declared this as a “result” for the town.
He added: “Hopefully Hook Road will be open much sooner than feared, and the the road works will be less intrusive.
“Let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
This comes as a major A-road used by thousands every day will stay closed this week and through to January.
The A180 in north east Lincolnshire is undergoing maintenance and repair work on the concrete surface.
Elsewhere, a map showing the locations where drivers can be caught out using their phone have been revealed.
New advanced AI cameras are springing up across the country, with the new tech is capable of taking spy shots from the INSIDE passing cars and can even tell if anyone in the vehicle is not wearing their seatbelt.
