DRIVERS and shoppers face lengthy delays when a main road through Chippenham main road is shut for five days over one of the festive season’s busiest weekends.

Pewsham Way and London Road, part of the A4, are being closed for what is advertised as ‘essential maintenance’ between November 28 and December 2.

The official diversion route sends drivers south to Melksham and then round by Derry Hill on the other side, taking 21 miles, or vice-versa.

Cllr Clare Cape, who represents the Pewsham ward, is worried by the length of the route and the effect it may have on the town.

She said: “It’s going to be a nightmare.

“As usual the council is not thinking about the bigger picture and is just going ahead with the plans anyway.

“It’s a very long diversion and this is concerning for people who will make a rat run to find nearby shortcuts.

“These shortcuts will not be up to the required standard to deal with the traffic. This could cause a lot of traffic problems for the local area.

“I understand the roadworks have to be done but there needs to be more local consultation.”

One of the ‘shortcuts’ mentioned by Cllr Cape would be to use a bridge in Lacock wide enough for only one car at a time.

Stuart Gregory, Lacock Parish councillor for highways, said: “The parish council is most concerned about the effects of the A4 closure, as it will almost certainly mean significantly more numbers of motorists will take a shortcut through Lacock, ignoring the diversion routes.

“This will undoubtedly exacerbate the existing unacceptable problem of Lacock being used by an ever-increasing number of motorists.

“We are seeking ways to stop Lacock being regularly used as a ‘rat run’ but to date has been unable to find any immediate solution to the problem.

“However, discussions with Wiltshire Council, involving our MP, Michelle Donelan, are taking place to find a strategic solution, as part of the future Melksham bypass development.”

Chippenham business development group the BID is also fearing the impact the closure could have on its members who run town centre shops.

Chippenham switches on its Christmas lights on November 23, opening the festive shopping season.

BID manager Kathryn Crosweller said: “We understand that roadworks must happen, but it’s important for shoppers to remember that while they may feel they have to shop elsewhere during roadworks, the businesses who lose their custom will miss them.

“Customer loyalty is as important as reaching new customers, particularly for small and independent businesses, and we’d love to see more and more support of local businesses in the lead-up to Christmas.”

Wiltshire Council were approached for a comment about the roadworks but did not come back to The Gazette before going to press.