WORK to build a temporary road in Royal Wootton Bassett to prevent drivers taking a lengthy diversion around railway works is set to commence next month.

Skew Bridges, on the A3102, is an artery route between Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Lyneham and surrounding villages, and is the main route used by emergency services, as well as public transport.

But when Network Rail first announced plans to close the bridge for six months from September as part of a scheme to electrify the Great Western Line, residents were faced with being stranded from the rest of Wiltshire and having to take a 24-mile diversion around the work.

But in March, Network Rail confirmed a temporary road across the fields off Breach Lane - the brainchild of Bassett Town Councillor, Chris Wannell - would be built instead, and already the entrance to the road had been marked out and several posts put in place.

Chris said: "I'm very pleased because it's going to be a very difficult time for our town.

"The job's going to be done, whatever people think of it. It's going to happen whether we like it or not, and the only thing we're trying to do is to make the best of it for our town.

"I suggest we use it as an opportunity and I'd suggest we changed the priority on the High Street, so traffic coming from Station Road has a priority to turn left or right, so there are more people making use of the local business.

"It's not going to please everyone, it's going to cause difficulties for some people, especially for people living in Station Road and Nore Marsh Road (CORR).

"I live in Nore Marsh Road too so it is going to effect me directly as well.

"But we have to accept, the disruption to put in the temporary road is better than being cut off completely and having to take such a long diversion."

The work will be funded by Network Rail, who will continue to work with the local community to minimise disruption while the work takes place.

A spokesman from Network Rail said: "I've had it confirmed that work to build the temporary road will commence in July.

"We don't anticipate their being a problem in terms of not completing the road before the work starts, we have sufficient float in the timetable to prepare for any delays or eventualities and we will do our utmost to prevent any impact on residents."

Earlier this year, MP for North Wiltshire, James Gray, said: "I have been very concerned about the consequences of the closure of the Skew Bridges at Royal Wootton Bassett which is proposed under Network Rail’s plans to electrify the line, and was delighted to see that they have now accepted the proposal from the former leader of the local town council, town councillor Chris Wannell, for a diversionary route."