WORK is under way on a new temporary road to keep drivers in Royal Wootton Bassett moving while three bridges are closed as part of the railway electrification programme.

Residents in the town – which no longer has a railway station – are facing months of disruption while Network Rail works 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 their overhead power lines.

But they have agreed to build a temporary link road to alleviate some of the pressure during the works, which will save people being sent on a diversion of more than 30 miles just to cross the railway.

The building of the new road had been delayed after great crested newts were discovered at the site, which led to a number of surveys being carried out after they were rehomed to another area.

Network Rail will be demolishing and rebuilding the Marlborough Road/Broad Town Bridge from March 2016. Work on the A3102 Bath Road Bridge that was due to begin this winter has been delayed by 12 months.

This, they say, will allow them more time to complete the 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 that work on the road is now underway, but has been delayed by land negotiations, requiring the permission to cross a watercourse and the relocation of the great crested newts.

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.

“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.”

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.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with the landowners and Wiltshire Council to progress the building of the temporary road and ensure it is available for use before our essential work on the bridges on Marlborough Road and Bath Road commences.

“The improvement work on these bridges will pave the way for electrification and enable passengers and lineside neighbours in Wiltshire to benefit from a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains.”