GAZETTE & HERALD: Traffic gridlock in Chippenham could have dire consequences for the town's traders in the run-up to Christmas, a town councillor has warned.

Already lengthy traffic queues have plagued the Bath Road in and out of the town with construction underway on the new B&Q and Pizza Hut site.

And roadworks on Rowden Hill over the last week have added to the misery.

Now drivers face further hold-ups.

The notice of closure in New Road and Ivy Lane came before the town council's planning and environment committee last week.

Wiltshire County Council wants to close part of New Road from the junction with Station Hill north to the junction with Ivy Lane to enable essential safety works to the bridge arch, from October 30 for three weeks.

The A420 Ivy Lane will be closed from its junction with New Road in a southerly direction to the Bridge Centre for additional work, from November 21 for three weeks.

Coun Andrew Noblett said: "If I was a tradesman I would be horrified it's a strange time of year to be doing this work. If I was a trader I would not be a happy person. All the shoppers will head down the motorway to Cribbs Causeway."

Coun Bill Douglas added: "I understand they have to do it but couldn't they work nights and leave the roads open in the day?"

But Coun Maureen Lloyd said the safety work was essential.

"We should be more concerned with safety the arches are in a terrible state," she said.