TWO weeks of roadworks on the A419 will go-ahead despite promises that main routes in the Swindon area would remain clear this summer.

The Highways Agency said the resurfacing work had always been scheduled as part of the cur-rent time-table.

But spokesman Robin Miller apologised for not being aware of them when the Adver made inquiries earlier this year.

The £100,000 resurfacing work will start on Monday and will take place through the night.

Mr Miller said delays were not expected because the bulk of the work would be carried out overnight when there was little traffic on the roads. The improvements, being undertaken by contractor Ringway Highway services, are aimed at reducing noise and boosting safety through improved skid resistance.

Highways Agency project sponsor, Steve Self, said: "The road surface on this stretch of the A419 will be upgraded with a new low noise surface.

"The work will be carried out overnight to minimise disruption and not expected to cause any delays."

The work will be carried out between 8pm and 6am, and will finish on Saturday July 10. It will affect sections of both carriageways between Commonhead Roundabout and the A420 White Hart Junction.

Highway Agency spokes-man Robin Miller said: "It was always scheduled but I was not aware of it at that time.

"It is overnight resurfacing work and will be done when most traffic is not on the road. It will not affect holiday traffic. We are not expecting it to cause any problems. The bulk of it will be going on through the night."

Information about roadworks throughout the region is available

from the Highways Agency information line on telephone 08457 50 40 30 or from the Highways Agency website www.highways.gov.uk

Diversions

During the closure of the northbound carriageway, north of Commonhead roundabout, traffic will turn left at Commonhead Roundabout to take the A4259 Marlborough Road and Queens Drive and then turn right onto the A4312 Drakes Way, Slade Drive and Oxford Road to rejoin the A419 northbound at the A420 White Hart Roundabout.

During the closure of the southbound entry slip road at the A361 Honda South Junction and A419 southbound carriageway, southbound traffic will be diverted from the A361 Honda South Junction to take the A361 Highworth Road onto the B4006 Swindon Road to Greenbridge Roundabout where traffic would turn left onto the A4312 Oxford Road to join the A419 southbound at the A420 White Hart Roundabout.

The carriageway closures, slip road closure and diversion routes would all be clearly indicated by traffic signs throughout the works period and would only apply when traffic management measures are in place.

Tamzin Davis