A key part of the road network in Swindon will be plagued by several months of roadworks.

Swindon Borough Council has announced the works in an attempt to "improve the Coate Water Roundabout area" as part of its highways maintenance programmed funded by the Department for Transport.

This work will see the two subways in the area, under Queen's Drive and Marlborough Road, providing safe access to the popular country park, demolished and replaced by a surface-level toucan crossing. 

The Queen's Drive subway is set to close to the public as early as mid-April and will be closed before the replacement toucan crossing has been installed, the council has confirmed.

"Our contractors will be installing a temporary push-button controlled crossing for use prior to the closure of the subway, so pedestrians and cyclists can still access the Coate Water park," a council spokesperson said.

"The Marlborough Road subway is already served by an existing toucan crossing on Marlborough Road."

The public notices for the planned underpass closures received 125 responses, of which 120 were against the proposals with only five in support. 

In addition, the public consultation for the scheme, which took place in February and March 2021, received 165 concerns which many locals say have simply been dismissed. 

Despite this, and following a failed attempt to get the decision called into a scrutiny meeting by some ward councillors, the council green-lit this decision in April 2022 stating they had to go because they were 'unsafe'.

Read More: Coate Water underpasses to be filled in after final chance to save them fails

The work will also include the waterproofing of Coate Bridge – next to Coate Water Roundabout, upgrading the traffic signals on Coate Roundabout and resurfacing patches along Queens Drive next to the new toucan crossing and along Marlborough Road between Commonhead Roundabout and Coate Roundabout. 

The work, which will involve lane closures in the area, is set to start on Monday, March 27, and last until the end of the year.

It is anticipated the first traffic management/lane closures will be set up late in the week commencing April 10. 

The spokesperson added: "Our contractor will start work next week to set up their compound and work in the grass verges.

"Lane closures and 20 mph speed restrictions will be in place during the work from mid-April, and any planned road closures are due to be done overnight to minimise the impact to road users.

"A clear footpath diversion will be in place while the subway is decommissioned."

More information is available on the council's website