WILTSHIRE Council says "significant progress" has been made on the the B3108 Winsley Road works. 

The work has proved controversial and has been causing traffic problems for the surrounding roads. 

On Tuesday, MP Michelle Donelan called for “urgent” action to stop HGVs and other vehicles using narrow country lanes to avoid the road closure between Bradford on Avon and Winsley.

Wiltshire Council has now said that phase one is complete, including the widening of the footway and improvements to the refuge island on the B3108 to make it easier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road.

Works between Winsley and Bradford on Avon are also progressing well it says, with excavation complete and "considerable progress" being made in constructing the widened shared use path.

The work is on programme for completion by September 2 as planned, including the resurfacing of the B3108 carriageway.

Broadband provider Gigaclear has also been working within the site to install parts of its new network, which will help to minimise both future disruption on this route and damage to the new carriageway surface.

Meanwhile, the alternative bus service continues throughout the B3108 closure, with the shuttle bus between Winsley and Bradford on Avon proving to be particularly popular, with positive feedback from passengers.

While the works are ongoing, all businesses remain open as usual, with access either via the diversion route, on foot/cycle through the closure, or by using the alternative bus services.

Councillor Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The scheme to install a shared use path on the B3108 Winsley Road is progressing well, and we’re pleased to be able to link with Gigaclear to install part of its new broadband network to help prevent future disruption.

“We are still closely monitoring the diversion route and local lanes and will enact our contingency plans if people continue to use these lanes in large volumes. We're also working with Wiltshire Police to ensure HGVs adhere to weight limits in the area.

“As stated in our business plan, we believe Wiltshire should be a place where we stay active and we take responsibility for the environment, and the new shared use path will bring these benefits. We’re looking forward to the work being completed and creating a safer route for local people, particularly children to and from school.”

To find out more about the scheme, the road closure, diversion and the bus services, people should go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-new-active-travel-schemes.