Marlborough roadworks to continue through August

Roadworks have left residents and business owners in Marlborough infuriated

Roadworks which have brought traffic to a standstill are set to continue through August.

They have infuriated business owners and residents and are down to work being done on the gas network in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

Temporary traffic lights were installed near George Lane and London Road by Wales and West Utilities, which has apologised for the disruption.

It said work was essential to keep gas flowing and to prepare the network to transport hydrogen and biomethane.

Barry Hayworth, who has lived in Marlborough all his life called the works "terrible".

He said: "You sit in the traffic all the time, you don't go shopping. When it builds up, it just goes crazy.

"People cannot get from A to B, it takes hours, it's just a joke. Just keep away from Marlborough when there are roadworks."

Nova Fine Art manager Alison Taylor, said the jams stopped people coming to Marlborough.

She said: "That has a knock on effect with the shopping. The market has decreased in the last few months and there has been just solid traffic on the high street."

Framemakers gallery manager, Becky Davies, said: "The thing we find hardest is when all of Facebook Marlborough notice board is saying to everyone to avoid the town."

Alison Taylor said traffic jams stopped people coming to Marlborough

"We appreciate it is chaos but from a business point of view it is a very negative thing to see."

Charity shop manager and resident, Adam Roche, said every route in Marlborough was "throttled".

And it was so noisy at his home he had "special" windows fitted.

Mr Roche added: "There is always the smell of diesel. Our windows are filthy.

"Getting out of our parking space is always a nightmare as well."

Wales & West Utilities' Ryan Barkway said: "We are sorry for any inconvenience our work may cause.

"We know working on roads like this is not ideal, but the work really is essential to upgrade the network and to keep the gas flowing safely."