TWO major A roads in Wiltshire have now been reopened after being closed because of fallen trees as Storm Isha swept across the county with 80mph winds.
The A36 was closed in both directions on Sunday evening (January 21) after a fallen tree and powerlines blocked the carriageway.
The main trunk road between Bath and Salisbury was closed between Bathampton and Beckington but was reopened just after 9am this morning.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “The road reopened at 9.05am this morning and is now clear.”
Heavy traffic began to build in the area during rush hour, with queues being reported at Beckington and the Wingfield crossroads between Trowbridge and Farleigh Hungerford.
Police had already closed the busy route, which links Bath and Wiltshire, southbound between the A4 and Norton St Phillip on Sunday night at around 8.30pm.
National Highways confirmed the reason for the closure was “a large tree” falling while downed powerlines have added to the issues on the route.
Motorists were warned to expect delays and congestion as a result.
A spokesperson said: “The A36 northbound remains closed between the A361 (Beckington) and the A4 (Bath) due to a fallen tree and powerlines across the carriageway.
“The southbound carriageway is also still closed between the A4 and A366 (Norton St Philip).
“Please allow extra journey time.”
A fallen tree between Claverton and Monkton Combe led First West of England bus company to alter its routes.
The company was forced to temporarily avoid serving stops between Laura Place in Bath and the Wheatsheaf junction at Monkton Combe.
It added: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The A363 was also briefly blocked by a fallen tree at Sally in the Woods which was quickly cleared.
A fallen tree also blocked the lane next to Bradford on Avon Rugby Football Club between the B3018 Bath Road and Great Ashley.
In Trowbridge, the high winds blew over barriers for the Future High Street Fund road and pavement improvements in Fore Street, Manvers Street and Wicker Hill.
Plastic sheeting was also torn down from scaffolding at the Stone Developments Wiltshire redevelopment of the former Knees Electrical department store in Fore Street.
Rubbish from blown-over bins was scattered over the road in The Halve, Trowbridge, and in Winsley a garden fence was wrecked between Lyddieth Court and the park.
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