Bridge repairs to remove construction traffic from residential roads

The aim is that construction traffic serving development sites in the New Eastern Villages can be taken off residential roads.
The council is currently out to tender for a contractor to undertake initial repairs required to the bridge, with work expected to begin in December, subject to the procurement process being completed successfully.
If the programme progresses as planned, the council says construction traffic could start using the Southern Connector Road next spring as its main route, thus removing the need for lorries to regularly access development sites via Merlin Way and Wanborough Road.
The SCR, which will eventually provide a link between the New Eastern Villages and Commonhead roundabout, remains closed to the general public following the discovery of a number of significant defects after the collapse of Buckingham Group in 2023, before the road was handed over to the council.
Cllr Nick Gardiner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “Residents have been clear about the impact construction traffic is having on local roads and communities, so our priority is to get those lorries onto the Southern Connector Road as soon as it is safe to do so.
“We are now progressing the procurement of a contractor to carry out the bridge repairs needed to make that happen and, if everything goes to plan, construction traffic could be using the route from next spring.
“The road remains closed to the public because safety must come first, but these repairs represent an important step forward. 
"At the same time, we will continue monitoring the bridge and road while exploring longer-term solutions and funding options that could eventually allow the route to be opened more widely in the future.”
The council’s immediate priority is to ensure construction traffic can be safely diverted away from residential streets and onto the purpose-built road.
Once the bridge repairs have been completed, the road will remain closed to the public for safety reasons. 
Security staff will continue to manage and record all construction traffic using the route, logging vehicle types, weights and loads to support ongoing bridge monitoring.
Meanwhile, the council is continuing to explore further options, including potential funding opportunities, to carry out more extensive remedial works needed to eventually open the road and associated footpaths to the public.
 

Subscribe to The Link