GREAT crested newts in Royal Wootton Bassett are just one of the reasons behind the delay in work on the Great Western Railway, which was due to begin this winter.

Network Rail will be working around three bridges in Royal Wootton Bassett to allow the new high-speed electric trains coming to the Great Western Railway to pass underneath with overhead power lines.

It will be demolishing and rebuilding the Marlborough Road/Broad Town bridge from March 2016, but has announced work on the A3102 Bath Road bridge that was due to begin soon has been delayed by 12 months.

Network Rail said this will allow it more time to complete a temporary link road between the two bridges, which will prevent a 35-mile diversion.

The road will not open to traffic until work begins on Marlborough Road next year.

Network Rail said work on the road is under way but has been delayed by land negotiations, awaiting permission to cross a watercourse and the relocation of great crested newts on the site.

Work is also to be carried out on the listed Hunts Mill bridge, but engineers will be lowering the track there to create the additional space needed, rather than raising the bridge.

The delay comes after the Government’s transport authority The Office Of Rail And Road found Network Rail had breached its Government licence, as the £1.7bn electrification project is running an estimated year behind schedule.

Network Rail said it is addressing the issues.

Residents in Royal Wootton Bassett are to be given the chance to put their questions and concerns to Network Rail at a drop-in event being held in the town next week.

Andy Haynes, Network Rail’s project director for the west of England, said: “We know the residents of Royal Wootton Bassett are concerned about the impact the work will have on traffic in the town, which is why we are building the temporary link road to minimise disruption and avoid a lengthy diversion.

“We have made a revision to our timetable, which is why we are holding this second drop-in event.

“This essential work will pave the way for electrification and the benefits this will bring for local residents.

"These benefits include faster trains with more seats and more legroom, and less noise and pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

The event will take place between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, October 15, at the town’s Lime Kiln Leisure Centre.

Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the plans and to answer any questions. The first consultation, in May, attracted around 100 people.