A BUSINESSMAN believes ongoing roadworks are strangling the life out of Melksham and its surrounding villages.

Bruce Bronson, 59, the managing director of CFL Marketing Ltd on the Avonside Enterprise Park, believes roadworks around the Melksham area have been badly thought out and should not have all been done at the same time.

He also feels the traffic delays are leading to a loss of trade for businesses.

He said: "It seems to me there is a lack of joined-up thinking with it all.

"I can't understand why 24-hour and weekend working is not being done on the roadworks at Sandridge Hill, because this is an important route and it has been closed for months now.

"If it was in an urban area I could see why they can't work during the night because of lighting and noise, but in a rural part of Wiltshire you would think this is something that could be done. It (24-hour working) would be done in Europe or the United States because people there would not tolerate such disruption."

The closure of the A3102 at Sandridge Hill has meant traffic travelling between Melksham and Calne is diverted through Chippenham, adding miles and time to many people's journeys.

The work, to install a storm water drainage system and new traffic signals, began in July and was supposed to be completed within 10 weeks. However the road has only re-opened today and temporary traffic lights will be in place for the next fortnight.

Mr Bronson also highlighted the A350 at Yarnbrook, where traffic control measures will be in place until December, and the closure of the packhorse bridge in Lacock as being responsible for causing chaos.

He believes businesses in areas that have been affected by the roadworks should receive compensation for loss of trade.

"I haven't suffered from losing trade, the only problem I've had is that some members of staff living in the Calne area are having to be diverted through Chippenham, which is a very long way round," he said.

"I feel very sorry for those businesses that will undoubtedly be losing trade because the roadworks are putting people off visiting them and I hope they get suitable compensation for it."

A spokesman for Wiltshire County Council, which is responsible for maintaining roads in the county, said: "The roadworks at Sandridge Hill were extended so the utilities work on the drainage could be completed.

"The road will re-open today although there are going to be temporary traffic lights for another two weeks while everything is finished off.

"The reason why there has not been any 24-hour working at Sandridge Hill is because regulations in the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991 prevent us from asking the contractors to work around the clock.

"As for Yarnbrook, roadworks here have been a priority for some time and disruption is inevitable, although manual lights are being used at peak times to minimise it.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but the work being done is essential."