Mead Way is open to traffic after extensive work to increase the capacity of the road.
The multi-million pound scheme, which got underway just before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, has been beset with a number of issues, which have caused major delays and prevented the completion of the second phase of the project.
Swindon Borough Council said that, following work by utility companies to divert cables, pipes and ducts over the last couple of months, contractor Britannia Construction Ltd was able to lay the new surface to enable the road to be reopened. Stonehill Green has also reopened.
Cllr Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, said: “To say Mead Way has been a difficult project would be a huge understatement. It was always going to be challenging to complete the project on time due to the onset of the pandemic, and we have had a whole host of other issues to contend with which have been well documented.
“I can’t apologise enough to everyone that has been affected. We wanted to get the road reopened as soon as we possibly could once the utility diversion work had been completed, so it is great news local businesses, residents and motorists will now finally be able to use Mead Way once again.”
Although traffic is able to use the road once again, additional work still needs to be carried out on a new barrier over the subway. To allow this work to continue, restrictions are in place but two-way traffic is being maintained using the new lane.
The new northbound lane from Meads roundabout on Great Western Way up to Withymead roundabout, by Simply Gym and Kidz About, is the most significant improvement to Mead Way, but the roundabout at Westmead Drive and Stonehill Green junction has been converted into a signalised crossroad junction with a toucan crossing for pedestrians to cross Westmead Drive, enabling traffic to flow better past Westmead in the morning and evening peak periods.
People can stay up to date with other road improvements around Swindon by signing up to the Highways News newsletter at www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter
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