East Swindon residents 'won't have to wait too much longer' before overrun roadworks are completed
Swindon Borough Council has been widely criticised for the delayed projects
Last updated 20th Jun 2022
East Swindon residents "won't have to wait too much longer" before the overrun roadworks on Oxford Road and the A420 are finished, says Swindon Borough Council.
The local authority has come under fire in recent months, as the projects have been delayed on several occasions since commencing in March 2021.
People have voiced their anger about the schemes causing traffic disruption, excessive noise and air pollution for local homes and businesses. Some residents have also experienced difficulty accessing their front drives, due to the presence of road machinery.
'Absolutely disgraceful'
One of the complainants is Maria Vitale, who has lived by Oxford Road for more than two decades. She's shared her frustrations with Greatest Hits Radio.
"Every time we have questioned it with the Council, finding out when it's going to be completed, they just keep making excuses.
"In the meantime, concerned residents like myself are having to use this road. Making our way to Sainsbury's, or trying to access the A419 and the A420, has been a complete nightmare. Absolutely disgraceful it's been.
"Also the traffic, it's being diverted off the main road and going into the cul-de-sacs, just off Oxford Road. So it's adding more congestion and traffic on the side roads, just to get to the Greenbridge Roundabout," she said.
Some locals claim the temporary traffic lights aren't operating in sequence evenly, leaving some motorists waiting longer than they should be.
'Motorists have been incredibly patient'
Swindon Council admits the Oxford Road improvement scheme has been "plagued with issues". The local authority blames delays to its completion time on design changes and issues with receiving materials during the pandemic.
A Council spokesperson added: "The contractor, R&W Civil Engineering, has had face to face encounters with several residents, and the majority have been extremely understanding of the situation.
"There has unfortunately been incidents when the safety of the contractor’s staff has been threatened while working on site, and this is unacceptable.
"Motorists have been incredibly patient during this time, and people won’t have to wait too much longer until Oxford Road and the A420 work at Gablecross are completed".
'We always seek to improve engagement with residents'
According to Gary Sumner, cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, the £44 million roadworks will better equip the area for an expected rise in population over the next few years.
The upgraded infrastructure will supply the New Eastern Villages, to the east of the A419. It's expected this development will consist of 8,000 properties, new schools, leisure facilities and employment spaces.
"These major improvements to key junctions in the east of Swindon have taken place to accommodate future housing growth and we have obtained the funding to deliver the schemes years ahead of the houses being built.
"We always seek to improve engagement with residents and will continue to work with local councillors to more closely meet our residents’ expectations," he said.
Greatest Hits Radio has contacted R&W Civil Engineering for comment.