TADPOLE Lane will be closed for the rest of 2012 after the council announced 32 weeks of vital roadworks will begin next month.

The major works mean the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, which is on the road, has been forced to cancel two of its major fund-raising events this year.

The Vintage and Steam Weekend in August and the War Time Weekend, which sees more than 60 military vehicles come to the site, have been cancelled as a result of the roadworks, which will involve major bridge refurbishments taking place next to the railway entrance.

The work is to start on May 14, with the River Bridge being replaced and widened on behalf of Wiltshire Council, and the Grade II Listed Rail Bridge embankment stabilised on behalf of Swindon Council.

As well as causing traffic chaos for commuters, the work could have a devastating effect on the railway, which will remain open as normal throughout the 32 weeks.

Railway publicity officer Adrian Brodie said: “This is going to be a testing year for us, but we are hopeful that people will continue to come and support us.

“It is going to cost us a considerable amount of our income. We can’t quantify it because we are an attraction that has a lot of things that impact upon our numbers, such as the weather, but we know it will be difficult.

“We were in a recession last year but given that we still managed to increase our visitor numbers by about 10 per cent, so we aren’t doing too badly.

“We had to take the decision to cancel our two major fundraisers because we don’t think it would be possible to get all the vehicles on the site, as well as the parking.

“There is nothing we can do about it as the work needs to be done.

“We just want to let people know that we are still open, we have rejigged our calendar of events slightly for 2012 and we will have to see how the year goes.”

The railway has planned a small steam gala commemorating the closure of the line 50 years ago this year and still plans to hold the popular Halloween Ghost Trains.

During the works, a fully signed diversion will be in place and an alternative pedestrian route will be provided during the closure of the River Bridge.

Project manager Liz Baldwin will attend the Haydon Wick Parish Council meeting on April 17 at 7pm to present the scheme and answer any questions from residents.

She said: “We do appreciate that a 32-week closure is extremely long, but please rest assured that in order to minimise the disruption of these substantial works and deliver the scheme as cost effectively as possible, Swindon Council and Wiltshire Council have been working together to deliver a joint project.

“We are maintaining access to the Swindon and Cricklade Railway throughout, and both bridges will not be closed concurrently. River Bridge works will proceed first.

“Health and safety during these works is of paramount importance to all connected with this project. Procedures will be put in place to provide a safe working environment in the vicinity of the works.”

Anyone who wants further information can call 01793 463725.

An up-to-date calendar of events at the railway can be found at www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org.