Angry drivers have described Trowbridge as an ‘absolute nightmare’ and a ‘no-go-town’ after road works and road closures caused traffic gridlock during peak hours.
They took to social media to complain after Wiltshire Council gave the go-ahead for several sets of road works and closures.
The A363 Bradley Road was closed by the Spitfire Retail Park for four days to Monday, October 28 for “essential resurfacing works”.
There are mains pipe works on the A363 Bradford Road until Friday, November 8, while Wales & West Utilities has closed Stallard Street until Thursday, October 31 for emergency repairs to find and fix a gas leak.
Manvers Street is closed with access for residents only, although Wiltshire Council says it is on track to reopen in mid-November.
Lastly, the West Ashton Road is closed from the bottom of Leap Gate to the crossroads at West Ashton from Wednesday, October 29 to Friday, November 1.
The Stallard Street closure blocked access to the town centre, with a diversion signposted along Newtown, Mortimer Street, and County Way.
Commenting on the Wiltshire Times Facebook page, Dean Plumley said: “Absolute chaos on Saturday with all the other roadworks going on, could have done with someone managing traffic flow at key strategic points.”
Commenting on the Times Facebook page, Ann Wakefield said: “Yes, I know Trowbridge was in a state on Saturday and Sunday traffic-wise but it's better than a gas explosion surely?”
Someone using the handle S3b on the Times website said: “Yesterday afternoon the roundabout by McDonald's was open but there were still signs all over town saying the road is closed, absolute nightmare!”
Commenting on the Times website, Jacqueline Preston said: “I understand that emergency work has to be done and that's fine but just get on with it!
“And maybe some communication between councils and utilities wouldn't go amiss either. Too many major routes closed.
“Trowbridge at the best is a no-go town. Will definitely tell all friends and family not to come anywhere near it for the foreseeable future! Just horrible.”
Commenting on the Times website, Anthony Mortimer added: “North Bradley Road closed, Manvers Street closed, the road by Stallards closed. My advice to everyone is to avoid Trowbridge at all cost.”
Commenting on the Times Facebook page, Rob Howell said: “Plan your journey accordingly. Mortimer Street and County Way are the only two roads to get from one side of Trowbridge to the other.
“The signage is awful, and isn’t clear at all, especially on Bradley Road. There should also be a sign on the entrance of Newtown by Mortimer Street saying the Stallards bridge is closed.
“It’s meaning twice the traffic is driving along Newtown and then back again because they can’t get over the bridge.”
Local businessman, Cllr Edward Kirk, a Trowbridge town and Wiltshire councillor, said: “Whilst I am sure Wiltshire Council’s objective is to plan the necessary Trowbridge road works to cause the minimum amount of confusion and delay. This simply hasn’t worked across Trowbridge.
“Please can the diversion signs provide all the necessary information. The diversion sign on Bradley Road just said Woodmarsh Road closed it did not say that the main ring road to the White Horse Business Park was also closed.
“If that had been made clear then I and many other motorists would not have driven along Bradley Road only to be turned around at the Spitfire Retail Park.
“Perhaps Wiltshire Council Highways could also think more about the overall impact on traffic of multiple road works occurring at the same time.”
Wiltshire Council and Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce have also been approached for a comment.
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