Irritated residents in Swindon have hosted a third birthday party for a set of roadworks.
The group took a cake and banner for the gathering at the long-running works on the junction of Mead Road and Westmead Drive in Swindon on Friday 10 March.
Work to install a new redrawn junction began on 10 March 2020, and was due to be completed before the end of that year. However, the project suffered repeated delays blamed on Covid-19, causing the project to drag on.
Despite re-opening for traffic 15-months ago, barriers and cones remained and locals turned up with a banner and a cake for a 2nd birthday party last year.
Now road safety officers are reviewing the junction yet again, for another potential revamp, after a number of collisions and concerns raised about its safety.
As a result, locals say that the work is still incomplete – prompting their protest party, complete with banners and a cake.
Cllr Robbins said: “It gives me no pleasure to be holding another birthday party for Mead Way.
“I would much rather that we were focusing on a well-designed and well-delivered road project, but residents are still suffering after the years of delays and broken promises from the council and now the dangerous layout which seems to be causing near misses on a daily basis.
“Ward councillors still haven’t been given sight of the new plans for the junction and the failed Conservative administration are refusing to consult with us or residents.
“Swindon Labour are today launching a new pledge to Get Swindon Moving.
“As part of our plan to build a better Swindon, we will be sorting the potholes, stopping unnecessary roadworks and really getting to grips with contractors to make sure that delays are kept to minimum.
“We are determined that residents will experience a better level of service if Labour take control of the council in May.”
Swindon’s Borough Council highlighted the road has been open for traffic since December 2021.
Gary Sumner, the council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure and transport, says that the review into another re-drawing of the junction is ongoing.
He said: “Officers are still working on a detailed technical analysis of the junction and any potential issues and changes that could be made.
“Members will be able to view any proposed changes and feedback on any concerns directly to highways officers at that time.
“As intended, the scheme has resulted in better traffic flows and the professionals who will oversee the project have to look at all accident data supplied to ensure that causes are fully understood.”
