Businesses in Sherston and Luckington can begin to get themselves back on track now Network Rail’s bridge work is complete.

Work on three rail bridges shut parts of the B4040 and Fosse Way.

They were all reopened last week even though Network Rail had initially said the work would be completed in December.

Luckington parish councillor John Buckley said: “They reopened for Good Friday, so it is all open in time for Badminton as well, although they are going to have temporary traffic lights again for the last two weeks of May to finish off some work.

“Business is starting to pick up already; it’s had a bad effect on them but it’s hard to quantify what cost.

“Network Rail are just remarkable; they have this ability to anger the local community and tell them it’s good for them.

“The bridges are very different now; they are higher and are more visible, which is disappointing, but it has to happen.”

Network Rail has said the bridge works were necessary to support the firm’s electrification programme to enable new electric trains to operate through Wiltshire.

“It has been six months, which is three months too long, or actually six months too long,” said Sherston parish councillor Martin Rea.

“It’s reopening is great news for all the local businesses and people will be spending a lot less money now on fuel because of the diversions.

“It’s also great that the roads are open in time for Badminton and hopefully the visitors will find us again.”