Cars are driving through traffic cones, mounting grass and driving the wrong way down the road after being left confused by the Merlin Way road closure. 

The road was closed on Monday, a week before a letter sent to locals in the area said it would be, which has left drivers confused. 

This is because drivers travelling from Commonhead roundabout can exit the A419 on the slip road onto Merlin Way but their only option is to go around the roundabout and rejoin the A419, as they cannot turn left towards Covingham or right towards White Hart. 

But witnesses are noticing a large amount of vehicles leaving the A419, driving round the roundabout and rejoining, with some frustrated motorists taking matters into their own hands.

Samantha Williams said "I'm very confused as to why the A419 slip road is open?

"All of the traffic coming off are very confused, I've witnessed 4 lorries in a matter of minutes getting very confused of where they should be heading and having to go back on the A419.

"Merlin Way shouldn’t be closed off at all during this closure of the roundabout.

"I even witnessed a construction type open back van budge the cones out the way whilst mounting the grass slightly to head down merlin way after coming off the slip road."

Another Facebook user told The Adver that they'd seen several cars deliberately ignore the road closures. 

"Last night however we witnessed more than one car drive through the traffic cones that have been placed to close Merlin Way.

"One car drove the wrong way down Merlin Way to then turn right onto Covingham Drive

"To cap it all a car mounted the grass verge and drove towards Wanborough Road and down towards the White Hart pub."

There is also a lot of confusion about the reason for the Merlin Way road closure being brought forward from August 23. 

A council spokesperson said: “In order to make efficient use of the road closures associated with the White Hart roundabout reconstruction work, we will be carrying out essential maintenance to the Merlin Way bridge-deck from 23 August for eight weeks, weather permitting. For the duration of this work, the stretch of Merlin Way between the A419 and Covingham Drive will be fully closed to traffic in both directions. Access will be maintained for emergency services only.

“In anticipation of this work, and to prevent HGVs from rat running through Covingham Drive and disturbing local residents in the meantime, the southbound lane on Merlin Way is now shut to traffic and will remain closed until the essential work to the Merlin Way bridge-deck has been completed.

“We’d like to apologise to residents for any confusion caused by our letter and thank them for their patience while this work is carried out.”