Swindon major route reopens after two years of roadworks

The Marsh in the village of Wanborough is officially open to the public after two years of closure.

The well-used through route originally closed for 11 months on October 4, 2021, as part of the £40 million Southern Connector Road construction which aimed to link the New Eastern Villages with Commonhead roundabout.

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However major delays scuppered this plan, as contractor Buckingham Group plunged into administration. 

Now, just over two years since the day since the road closed, Wanborough residents are celebrating the reopening of The Marsh.

“We’d like to thank local residents, business owners and drivers for their patience while this through-route was closed,” said a spokesman for Swindon Borough Council in a recent statement.

The closure, which forced motorists to use Pack Hill and The High Street to take a large diversion to travel through the village, faced huge backlash from the community when it felt like there was no end in sight for the disruptive roadworks.

The diversion that motorists have been forced to take for the last two years. (Image: Newsquest)

In an update provided on August 23, ward councillor Gary Sumner, leader of the district's Conservative group, said he hoped The Marsh would open on September 1.

However this was pushed back again when the land owner failed to cut their hedge.

"A huge unhappy birthday to the Marsh," wrote one resident earlier this week, in a birthday card to the road which was signed by ‘all those affected by the closure’.

"Two years haven’t flown by, and the continuous disruption throughout this period marks an unwelcome milestone.

Speaking about the road's reopening, Mr Sumner said: "It’s a huge relief to my residents.

"When I was the deputy leader of the council, it was one of the more controversial things within my responsibilities.

"Whilst some residents of The Marsh have enjoyed the peace, it has been a huge inconvenience to businesses based in The Marsh, from equestrian establishments, a florist and The Cross Keys pub which actually closed (although that wasn’t entirely the fault of the closure).

"Farmers based in Wanborough also regularly use The Marsh to get to work both in and outside the village.

"I spoke with the head of highways and Chris Watts (the cabinet member for highways) and they agreed to reopen as soon as possible. 

"This means that road closures of existing roads have finally ended a two year period of vast inconvenience and it couldn’t come too soon."