Work on the A350 at Upton Scudamore to begin in September

Wiltshire Council is undertaking essential work to refurbish and upgrade the traffic signals on the A350 at Upton Scudamore, from 19 September to 15 October 2022.

The work will see the traffic signals upgraded with the latest technology, which will allow for remote monitoring and adjustments to the signal timings to improve traffic flows. At the same time, the junction area will be resurfaced and road studs will be installed.

The Westbury Road into Warminster will be closed for the duration of the scheme 19 September to 15 October and a signed diversion route will be in place. The remainder of the junction, including the A350, will operate under 2-way temporary traffic lights to ensure the safety of the contractor and highway users alike. 

Night-time road closures of the whole junction area will be in operation for the resurfacing work between 3 October to 15 October, people should expect delays and are advised to follow the signed diversion routes on the A36, A361 and A350. The A350 will remain open during the daytime throughout this period.

Further resurfacing works are also being carried out by National Highways on the A36 north of BP/Travel Lodge roundabout at its junction with the A361 to Trowbridge. These works will take place overnight between 19 September to 22 October. Both schemes will share the A361 as the diversion route, but careful planning between council highways teams and National Highways has been undertaken to agree signing schedules which facilitate both sets of works and to minimise confusion over which diversion to follow.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: We apologise for any inconvenience or delays caused by these works, but the current signals have now been in place for more than 20 years and are no longer fit for purpose.

It is a good use of time and resources to carry out the resurfacing works at the same time and will hopefully avoid the need for further closures and disruptions for residents and highway users.

With the works on the A350 and A36 being done overnight, and during the autumn when traffic flows are lower, we are confident that both sets of work can progress in parallel and cause minimum disruption.

As set out in our business plan, we are committed to investing in Wiltshire's roads, by maintaining and improving our existing transport infrastructure; this upgrade project is part of our £22.9m programme of works this financial year.

To find out more about these works and the diversions, and to find out more about road works and closures in Wiltshire, people should go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-road-closures.