TRAFFIC chaos in Chippenham has run into a second day today (Sept 30) as traffic lights at the Bridge Centre roundabout are replaced by Wiltshire Council.
Bus companies Faresaver and Stagecoach West have both been experiencing major delays over the past two days with many passengers taking to Twitter to vent their frustrations.
The work to replace the lights is expected to be completed on Friday and Wiltshire Council has apologised for the inconvenience and delays caused to motorists.
A Wiltshire Council spokesperson said: “Due to their age, we need to replace these traffic lights and while we do so temporary lights are in place.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and delays this is causing.
“This work, which will see a much more reliable traffic light system installed, is expected to be complete by Friday, and in the meantime we are looking into ways to reduce any delays while the work is carried out.”
Some Faresaver buses were taking 45 minutes to travel from the bus station to the Bridge Centre roundabout on Tuesday, a journey which shouldn’t take more than five minutes.
A huge range of Faresaver services have been affected including the X34 to Melksham and Trowibrdge, the X31 to Corsham and Bath, the 91 to Great Somerford and Sutton Benger and the 35 to Yatton Keynell and Castle Combe.
Daniel Pickford, general manager of Faresaver, said: “We contacted the council and they advised us the temporary lights went out of sync in the morning because the pedestrian priority was not linked with the traffic.
“They informed us they would be reset overnight and they would be working this morning (Wednesday) but that does not seem to be the case.
“All our passengers who have contacted us have been very understanding in the main, everyone seems to know what’s been happening and been accommodating to the fact the delays are out of our control.”
Stagecoach West also experienced issues with their services due to the temporary lights which caused them to terminate their 55 service at the bus station.
Rupert Cox, Managing Director for Stagecoach West, said: “Service 55 suffered severe delays of up to 45 minutes yesterday in Chippenham due to seven temporary lights installed at the Bridge Roundabout.
"This led to us make the decision to terminate the services at the bus station in Chippenham between 11am and 7pm yesterday.
"We have been suffering delays once again today and made the call to terminate at the bus station from 8am this morning.
"We’ve spoken with Wiltshire Council and they’ve provided a member of staff on scene to advise our passengers that services are being terminated at the bus station.
"We were, unfortunately, unaware that the roadworks were taking place, but believe that they’re scheduled to be completed by tomorrow.”
Oh my life Chippenham traffic is ATROCIOUS!! Barely moved from my street in 20 mins 😩😡😡
— Sophie Bradshaw (@SophieEllyn) September 30, 2015
#Swindon due to 7 way traffic lights in Chippenham service 55 expecting delays.Also this service is terminating at bus station.
— Stagecoach West (@Stagecoach_West) September 30, 2015
Warning to every1 - traffic grid locked in chippenham this morning through town centre & up avenue la fleche/webbington roundabout!
— Chrissy Harrison (@chrissymarie505) September 30, 2015
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