Motorists are being given advance warning that the second phase of work to reconstruct Akers Way will start in just under two weeks’ time (12 June).
The contractor working on the project on behalf of Swindon Borough Council has been laying new base materials on the northern section of the carriageway ahead of the final surfacing, which will take place this week.
The first phase of the work is on course to be completed on Friday, 9 June at which point the entire carriageway will be open to all traffic.
This will allow the roundabout outside Farm Foods, at the junction with Moredon Road, Whitworth Road, Cheney Manor Road and The Broadway, to be resurfaced over the weekend of 10 and 11 June.
The following Monday (12 June), phase two of the Akers Way reconstruction will begin and will affect a 200-metre section between the Purton Road roundabout and Nova Hreod Academy. During this work, Akers Way will be closed in both directions.
Drivers are advised that the diversion route for phase two will be: Purton Road, Moredon Road, Cheney Manor Road and Akers Way. Access to the Nova Hreod Academy junction will be maintained during this phase from the east only.
The Council has notified local residents, schools and businesses advising them of the next phase of work and motorists should allow extra time for their journeys or seek an alternative route during this time.
To reduce the impact on Moredon Road, hauliers and businesses serving Cheney Manor Industrial Estate are being asked to avoid the Moredon Road diversion and seek a suitable alternative route.
The work on Akers Way, which has been split up into five phases, is designed to address problems with the deteriorating concrete base of the road.
A complex but cost-effective solution has been devised, which combines modifications to the concrete road base slabs and includes a specially designed thicker road surfacing material layer on top.
The design will increase the flexibility of the road and provide a longer-lasting protective surface over the road structure below. The contractor will also be carrying out improvements to the parking along the road.
Regular updates on the road improvement scheme will be publicised through the Council’s fortnightly Highways News e-newsletter www.swindon.gov.uk/newsletter
Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “I’m pleased to report that the additional defects found by our engineer after the road surface was dug up have been rectified and it will be great to see the new road surface laid this week.
“This first phase was always going to cause the least amount of inconvenience to drivers and the local community as the majority of Akers Way has remained open.
However, these next few phases will have a significant impact on people’s journeys so I would urge anyone who uses Akers Way or Moredon Road, particularly during peak periods, to consider using alternative routes and to allow plenty of time for their travel.
“I would also encourage people to explore alternative methods of getting from A to B. Our Swindon Travel Choices service has some excellent information about sustainable travel options on their website: www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk”
