New ?40 million road still closed and unused several weeks after …
The Southern Connector road junction with Wanborough Road (Image: Newsquest)
A NEWLY constructed major road that was due to have opened to the public for the first time earlier this month remains empty and unused weeks later.
In a statement in early August, Swindon Borough Council confirmed the major £40million road was nearing the end of its construction and it was hoped it would open 'before the end of the summer holidays'. [1][2]
But this was scuppered by the unexpected and sudden collapse into administration of national contractor Buckingham which had been building the road needed as part of the New Eastern Villages expansion since the winter of 2020. [3]
Following the collapse, cabinet member for highways Chris Watts said that this would have no bearing on the existing plans for the road, but several weeks into the new school term the road remains closed.
As of September 26, concrete blocks still remain at either end of the road, both at the traffic lights on Wanborough Road and the other end by Commonhead roundabout.
Guards are also positioned at either end.
Swindon Advertiser: Buckingham Group's sign remains at the Southern Connector Road site as locals wait for it to open
Buckingham Group's sign remains at the Southern Connector Road site as locals wait for it to open (Image: Newsquest)In his statement issued at the end of August, Coun Watts said: "We are sorry to hear about the financial issues facing Buckingham and our thoughts are with their employees at this unsettling time.
"We’d like to reassure local residents that the company’s difficulties will not affect the Southern Connector Road scheme as the road has been completed.
“Final road safety and legal checks are currently being carried out and, once all these are in order, we will be looking to open the road as soon as we can.”
But instead, it looks like more work is needed as earlier this month a Section 14 notice was issued for the closure of footpaths in Wanborough from September 14 for six months.
It said: "This Order is introduced to allow for the construction of the Southern Connector Road and will temporarily close PROW footpath WA8 and PROW footpath WA22 between the western side of the Southern Connector Road and the A419."
Story continues
Residents of the village near Swindon have also been eagerly awaiting the reopening of The Marsh, a through-route connection upper and lower Wanborough that was closed as part of the Southern Connector Road construction.
In an update on that road and a delay in its reopening, ward councillor Gary Sumner said: "Buckingham has appointed administrators and at this stage, the road is not handed over as complete so there will be a legal discussion and negotiation.
Swindon Borough Council were approached for comment.
References
- ^ Swindon (www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk)
- ^ it was hoped it would open 'before the end of the summer holidays'. (www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk)
- ^ But this was scuppered by the unexpected and sudden collapse into administration of national contractor Buckingham which had been building the road needed as part of the New Eastern Villages expansion since the winter of 2020. (www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk)