Wiltshire Council has welcomed the completion of major works in Trowbridge to improve roads and pavements in Fore Street and Wicker Hill.

The improvements are being funded by a £16.3 million award from the government’s Future High Street Fund. They are designed to help revitalise and enhance town centres by making them more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.

Over the past two days, workers have been adjusting road levels following the installation of ironworks and mains gas inspection covers. Wiltshire Council said this is standard practice following carriageway surfacing.

It ensures the utility covers for services in the carriageway are brought up to the new carriageway level to ensure that the road level is smooth for vehicles.

The road surface around mains gas inspection covers and ironworks has been Paco patched to ensure it is smooth for passing vehicles.The road surface around mains gas inspection covers and ironworks has been Paco patched to ensure it is smooth for passing vehicles. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “I am pleased to confirm that the works at Wicker Hill and Fore Street have been completed on time and that the road will reopen from Monday, September 9.

“Works of this nature, particularly in urban environments, inevitably cause disruption and we would like to thank people for their patience during the works.

“The works have positively altered the environment in the town centre, and the feedback has generally been positive.

“Work started on Manvers Street on Monday, September 2, with Milestone carrying out elements of work they could complete without this road being completely closed.”

Enjoy a better reading experience with the Times
As a digital subscriber, you will get:
🔵Fewer adverts
🔵Unlimited access to stories
🔵Full access to our app and digital edition of the paper
Check out the latest digital subscription sale https://t.co/ZYCIb8VHdl">https://t.co/ZYCIb8VHdl> https://t.co/TPm0549azU">pic.twitter.com/TPm0549azU

Manvers Street will be closed to traffic as the next phase of work begins. Manvers Street will be closed to traffic as the next phase of work begins. (Image: Trevor Porter)

From Saturday, September 7, Manvers Street will be closed to traffic to enable the next phase of works to alter the kerbing and widening of the footway.

Changes will be made to the existing wall alignment and removal of the vegetation that currently blocks the view to Manvers House.

Other works include removing trees in poor condition, and widening and repaving the footpath to tie in with the surrounding paved areas.

New bus shelters with ‘green roofs’ to improve biodiversity will be provided outside Manvers House  and new soft landscaping and heritage street light columns will be provided.

It is expected that these works will be completed with the closure being removed around mid-November.

The final phase of the works relates to the footpath works on Hill Street, outside the former bathroom shop and Kitchener’s Court.

If the weather permits, all works are anticipated to be completed before Christmas 2024 following the year-long project which began on January 15.

Cllr Holder added: “We would like to remind residents and visitors that all local businesses will remain open as usual during this period.”