Traffic has been brought to a standstill in Trowbridge because drivers are unable to access the town centre via Stallard Street.

Wales & West Utilities is drilling bore holes in the road close to Bridge House and the railway bridge to locate the source of a gas leak.

One eyewitness said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. Drivers are facing long queues and delays in getting through to the town centre.”

Jane Wilcox, owner of Alpha Taxis in Castle Steet, said the works were having a “huge knock-on effect” on their business.

The road outside Bridge House in Stallard Street is being dug up forcing the road closure. The road outside Bridge House in Stallard Street is being dug up forcing the road closure. (Image: Trevor Porter) “The roadworks in the town centre have been going on for the past 12 months and have had a huge impact.

“Our drivers have seen a 20-30 per cent difference in their takings. They are not coping and are extremely stressed.

“On Saturday, it was taking them an hour to do a standard fare job. It’s having a huge knock-on effect on our business.”

Stallard Street is closed to traffic due to Wales & West Utilities works to find and fix a gas leak. Stallard Street is closed to traffic due to Wales & West Utilities works to find and fix a gas leak. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Some of the Wales & West road closures are scheduled to last five days from Saturday, October 26 to Wednesday, October 30.

But one of the Wales & West road closures is scheduled to last seven days from Friday, October 26 to Thursday, October 31.

Stallard Street is closed to traffic for a week due to works to locate a gas leak. Trevor Porter Stallard Street is closed to traffic for a week due to works to locate a gas leak.(Image: Trevor Porter)

Alan Bickerstaff, Wales & West Utilities Gas Emergency Service Manager for Trowbridge said: "We are working in the Stallard Street area of Trowbridge to repair a number of small leaks on the gas pipe running beneath the road.

“In agreement with Wiltshire Council, and in order to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, Stallard Street is closed at its junctions with Station Approach and Wingfield Road.

“A diversion route is in place, though we would ask drivers to plan ahead and take alternative routes if at all possible.

“This is a complex job and we are not sure how long our work will take. We are working as safely and as quickly as we can to stop the leak and reopen the road.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience our work might be causing and we appreciate the patience and understanding of local residents and road users while we carry out this essential repair.

“Whilst it is important that we fix this leak now, it does not pose any serious safety concerns and there is no impact on local gas supplies.”

Sign at the gas works in Stallard Street. Sign at the gas works in Stallard Street. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Stallard Street is a popular and busy route to and from Trowbridge town centre and its closure is having a huge impact on traffic.

The road goes over the railway bridge past the Rose and Crown public house to the Trowbridge railway station approach roundabout.

Together with the closure of Manvers Street for road and pavement improvements and Wessex Water works on the Bradford Road, the Stallard Street road closure has led to traffic chaos in the town centre.

Drivers are facing queues and long delays accessing the A363 around the Holy Trinity Church roundabout to Newtown to turn left at Mortimer Street towards the town centre or right to access the A361 Frome Road and the A363 Bradley Road.

Delays are also likely on the A363 Bradford Road to Bradford on Avon, where Wessex Water has installed traffic lights for its works close to the Enterprise Car & Van Hire Centre and the Brook Road mini-roundabout.