Almost half a million pounds to be spent on major Upham Road reconstruction

By Jamie Hill - 16 June 2018

Community

A crumbling road base will undergo major reconstruction work this summer as part of Swindon Borough Council’s highway improvement programme.

Built around 60 years ago, Upham Road is coming to the end of its life with the road surface continually having to be repaired by the Council.

But contractors will move onto the site from Monday (18 June) to begin 12 weeks of work that will transform the road surface. The project will involve digging up the old concrete base and repairing it or replacing it where necessary before relaying the Tarmac surface.

The work has been planned to cause the minimum disruption to residents with parking restrictions in the area lifted and phasing added to the work to ensure residents can continue to park. The contractors will also provide additional support to those residents with limited mobility whilst their house is not accessible.

The phases of the repairs mean that access to the schools, church and other facilities in the area will be maintained where possible, with key work taking place over the school summer holiday to reduce disruption to parents.

With the road not being open to through traffic, the Number 17 bus will not run through Upham Road and will instead be diverted via Queens Drive, Drove Road and Groundwell Road.

However, in response to this, the Council has organised a replacement service which will pick up residents of Upham Road and the adjoining streets from the existing bus stop on Drove Road, close to the entrance of Queen’s Park.

The minibus service, which will be provided by Akcess, will run to Swindon town centre and back and will operate four times a day (9.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30am) six days a week (Monday to Saturday). The service will be reviewed and amended if necessary. Passengers will be charged a fare in line with other bus companies in Swindon.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for highways, said: “Upham Road is in dire need of repair and this scheme is just one of many the Council is undertaking this year to improve our roads. It is essential we carry out these projects to minimise wasted resources repairing roads that are well past their sell by date.

“Our officers ran a drop-in session for residents of the area and there was overwhelming support for the work taking place. We have listened to feedback from residents and have tried to make the process as painless as possible, which is why we have organised the special bus service to minimise the loss of the Number 17 service.

“I would like to thank the residents in advance for their patience while the work is carried out, but I can promise them it will be worth it when they have a smooth road surface that will hopefully last for the next 40 years.”

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