WORK to alter the layout and introduce traffic signals at Melksham’s Farmers Roundabout on the A350, is on schedule to be completed for October – but road users have described the works as ‘chaos’.
Bus providers have also said that construction work is impacting journeys through the town, with some services experiencing delays of up to 40 minutes. Work began on the roundabout in early February, with contractor Dyer & Butler anticipating that construction would be completed in October. The contractors have implemented traffic management measures, including lane closures during off-peak hours.
Local road users have criticised the length of time the works are taking, the ‘confusing’ lane closures, and the delays – with traffic heading south on the A350 from Chippenham tailing back as far as Lacock.
“So many near misses on the roundabout at the moment,” said local man Bryan Sheppard, “You never know what lane you have to be in as they are either closed off or it just narrows into one lane, then where do you go? It’s so confusing – please get the traffic lights up and working ASAP.”
Phil Scott added, “(I) just can’t believe how long this is taking, plus don’t really know what they are doing. Also people should look at the signs and not drive straight past and try to push in; get in the queue like everyone else. But it’s chaos.” Catherine Cooper commented, “If they put more men on the job and men who actually worked, then the work would be finished sooner!” while Nathan Keegan added, “How they’re dragging that out for 9 months is an incredible achievement.”
“I call it hell roundabout and don’t go anywhere near it,” said Fay Yandell.
A spokesperson for bus operator Faresaver told Melksham News, “Since the start of the works around Farmers Roundabout we have had to contend with delays of up to 40 minutes on certain services due to the off peak lane closures. The worst affected service is the X34 service between Chippenham and Frome, which operates via Melksham and Trowbridge, as on certain days the traffic queues back to Lacock travelling Southbound.
“Our X72 service between Devizes and Bath and 69 service between Corsham and Trowbridge have both experienced delays too, but not to the extent of the X34 service. The delays we experience can change from one day to the next. One day traffic can flow fairly well as lane closures are not in place and then the next, when lane closures are in place, we experience delays and it is relaying this information to the public, many of whom do not have access to social media, which is proving difficult.
“We are thankful that these works are being carried out between 0900 – 1500 and work is also being undertaken overnight to minimise disruption, and have been liaising with the contractors to try and understand their plans going forward. We are hopeful that once the current phase is completed later this month, we should see an improvement to service punctuality through the summer, until phase three is started around September.
“We apologise to our customers for the disruption to services we have experienced recently and thank them for their understanding of the difficult situation we currently find ourselves in.”
Melksham News approached Dyer & Butler for comment on the feedback from local road users, but a response was not received before the paper went to press.
In the contractor’s recent newsletter, Dyer & Butler reported, “In undertaking the works so far, we have encountered a few problem areas that have been mainly associated with buried underground services such as gas, water, electric mains, and telecommunication cables.
“Although these issues have posed us challenges, we remain on target to have the key works at Farmers Roundabout and Western Way substantially completed by mid-summer 2019, and we currently remain on target for the scheme to be completed in October.”
Full night time road closures with diversion routes are expected to take place towards the end of July/early August. Dyer & Butler said, “We will do our best to minimise any inconvenience caused.”
