First phase of Akers Way reconstruction to start next week

Akers Way will be closed between St Mary’s Church roundabout and Cheney Manor industrial estate from next Monday (10 April) as work to reconstruct the carriageway gets underway.

The road closure will come into effect from 10am and traffic marshals will be on hand to help motorists and members of the public. The remainder of Akers Way from Purton Road to the roundabout with Cheney Manor industrial estate will remain open during this phase.

The initial phase of the work is likely to take six weeks to complete, subject to the condition of the underlying concrete base, and is part of a major reconstruction of the mile-long stretch of road.

The £900,000 project is designed to address problems with the deteriorating concrete base of the road. A complex but cost-effective solution has been devised which combines modifications to the concrete road base slabs and includes a specially designed thicker road surfacing material layer on top.

The design will increase the flexibility of the road and provide a longer-lasting protective surface over the road structure below. The contractor will also be carrying out improvements to the parking along the road.

The scheme will be split into a number of phases with specific traffic management arrangements for each phase of works. The diversion routes will be clearly signed in both directions for the duration of the works and advanced notification signs will be in place three weeks prior to the start of the work.

The diversion route for phase one of the works will be via Cheney Manor Industrial Estate Road, Darby Close and Cheney Manor Road. There will be no access to Akers Way from the residential section of Cheney Manor Road including Harvey Grove, Brooklands Avenue and Manor Gardens.

Once the first phase is complete, the contractor will move to the next phase which will be a 200m stretch on the western section of Akers Way from the Purton Road Roundabout towards Nova Hreod Academy for approximately three weeks.

Phase three will follow on from this and will see the section of road from the Purton Road Roundabout towards the Nova Hreod Academy completed, for approximately three weeks.

Phase four will move to the eastern side of the Nova Hreod Academy to Cheney Manor Industrial Estate Road roundabout for approximately four weeks. Bollards will be removed at the end of Slade Street creating a link to Bates Way which will allow residents of Beany View and Slade Street to exit out onto Moredon Road.

Finally, phase five will see the closure of the Nova Hreod Academy junction. The work will be carried out here between 31 July and 23 August during the summer holidays and just prior to the release of the GCSE exam results.

The diversion for phases 2, 3, 4 & 5 will be along Purton Road, Moredon Road, Cheney Manor Road, and Akers Way.

Letters have been sent out to nearby residents, schools and businesses, while the Council has also informed large courier services, emergency services, public transport services and supermarkets regarding the inconvenience the works will cause.

Regular updates on the road improvement scheme will be publicised through the Council’s fortnightly Highways News e-newsletter www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter

Cllr David Renard, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “The deterioration in the carriageway along Akers Way is there for all to see and these improvement works cannot come soon enough. The council is committed to investing in Swindon’s road network and this scheme is another example of how we are improving our infrastructure for motorists.

“We know the reconstruction of the road is going to inconvenience both local residents and the large number of motorists who use this key route every day, but this is essential work and it needs to be carried out.

“I would ask motorists to bear with us while this work takes place and to leave extra time for their journeys if possible. During this first phase, Akers Way will still be open from Purton Road to Cheney Manor industrial estate so drivers will still be able to access Great Western Way using this route.

“Roads in the area are likely to be busier than normal with the road being closed to through traffic, which makes it an ideal time for people to consider a different mode of transport whether it be by bike, bus or even sharing a car journey with a neighbour.”