RESIDENTS of Royal Wootton Bassett are facing further disruption as the opening of the A3102 has been put back by a month.

The road was due to reopen on March 17, but due to what Network Rail have described as “engineering challenges” the road will not be in use until the end of April.

The works are being carried out in preparation for the arrival of a new fleet of bigger, faster and greener electric trains, and the Bath Road bridge has been closed since last October.

In a statement, Network Rail said: “We need to delay the opening of the A3102 to complete the work on the Bath Road bridge due to the engineering challenges of working over an operational railway.

“In addition to our current works, this extended road closure will give us the opportunity to carry out work that would have required us to come back and further disrupt traffic on the A3102 at a later date, thus in the long run minimising disruption to the community.”

Royal Wootton Bassett town councillor Chris Wannell wasn’t too concerned with the further delay, as long as the road is open for the town’s annual carnival on May 20.

Coun Wannell said: “I can’t say I’m particularly surprised by the delay. You are always at the mercy of things such as the weather at this time of year, and I thought the original deadline of March 17 was a bit too quick anyway; it’s a major piece of engineering.

“It hasn’t been particularly bad for us while the work has been going on, and the diversions that have been put in place have served the town well – we would have suffered more if they had done the 30-mile detour they were originally planning.”

A temporary link road was built by Network Rail to save motorists a 30-mile detour, and bosses at the train company have said that the road has coped well with the traffic flow and will remain open for the duration of the A3102 bridge closure.

Coun Wannell said: “As long as it’s finished in time for the town carnival, I’ve no complaints.

“The carnival is a major event in the town. It is meant to bring the community together and to get people out of their houses talking to each other in an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment and I’m very keen to see that looked after.

"It would be disastrous for the town if it has to be cancelled.”

Network Rail has promised to inform the local community of the opening date as soon as it is confirmed.

A spokesman added: “We would like to thank residents and motorists for their patience while we are carrying out this essential work.”