The busiest junction in Chippenham will be disrupted by vital roadworks for virtually the whole of next month.

Resurfacing work, drainage repairs and the installation of new traffic lights will affect drivers using the Bridge roundabout until August 26.

The busy roundabout will be closed at night on weekdays, and there will be daytime temporary traffic lights while the existing permanent signals are being replaced.

The roundabout is a key traffic hub in the centre of the town, dealing with vehicles crossing Chippenham from all points of the compass.

The work is being done by Wiltshire Council’s Wiltshire Highways arm.

The council said: “The works involve drainage repair, surfacing of the roundabout and the replacement of aged traffic signal equipment to improve the traffic flow through the Bridge Centre roundabout and onwards.”

The work started yesterday (July 25), with the beginning of repairs to the surface water drainage system.

These repairs will take place at night, between 7am and 6am, as will the resurfacing work, which starts on Monday, August 1.

The drainage work should be over by Friday, but the resurfacing work will continue until August 26.

While the night-time resurfacing work is going on, the only open roads around the roundabout will be Bath Road and Avenue La Fleche. The other approaches to the centre will be closed, giving drivers the choice of going through the town centre, or a three-mile officially-recommended diversion involving Bristol Road and the A350 western bypass.

The council says no weekend work is being planned on the drainage or resurfacing projects.

It says pedestrians will be able to cross the area throughout the work, and that contractors will help motorists who require access to properties, unless the road is blocked by machinery or a surface has just been laid.

The installation of new traffic lights will also begin on Monday (AUG 1), and mostly be done during the daytime, between 8am and 6pm, with that project finishing on August 26.

There will be three-way signals with temporary pedestrian crossings, which will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The council said: “Whilst operatives are working on site, lane closures will be required to provide safe working space for operatives.”

You can view the road closure information and diversions on one.network.