Ref. 25856-52A GAS pipeline company has agreed to suspend its roadworks so a summer festival can go ahead without a hitch.

Residents in Nore Marsh Road, Wootton Bassett feared that traffic in their street would grind to a halt when the Wootton Bassett High Street is closed on Sunday, August 3, for the Wootton Bassett Street Festival.

Transco started work on a 150-yard stretch of the street between Brynards Hill and Noredon Way on July 10. One lane of the residential street is closed and traffic flow is controlled by temporary traffic lights.

When the High Street is closed, Nore Marsh Road becomes the major route between Swindon Road which leads into Wootton Bassett and the A3102, which leads out of the town towards Lyneham.

The Street Festival is one of the major annual events in Wootton Bassett. Last year's event was held on a Saturday and traders criticised it claiming that closing down the High Street to traffic was bad for trade.

Wootton Bassett town clerk Johnathan Bourne said he had contacted Wiltshire County Council, who had written to Transco, and asked the firm to stop work in Nore Marsh Road for the duration of the day long festival.

He said: "When we were planning for the road closure on August 3 this was something we were concerned about.

"We are aware that the closure of the High Street does have an impact on people in Nore Marsh Road and we don't want it to be more than is necessary."

This year there will be no repeat of last year's continental market but the entertainment will include a synthetic ice rink, medieval display and live music stage feature folk, jazz and rock groups.

Nore Marsh Road resident Chris Wannell, who is also a Conservative member of North Wiltshire District Council, said: "A lot of residents in Nore Marsh Road have spoken to me about this complaining about the traffic disruption it is causing already.

"When your pull out of your driveway you have to judge which way the traffic is going. My son went the wrong direction last week and caused mayhem when he realised that cars were driving towards him.

"The town will grind to a halt for the day if the road is not fully reopened."

Caroline Davidson of Transco confirmed the holes would be filled in and the road fully open for the weekend of the Street Festival.

She said: "Work to fill in the holes will start on August 1 and the project will start again on August 4.

"It is scheduled to finish for good at the end of August.

"Following our discussions we are happy to help play our part in making sure the festival goes ahead as planned."