Work to fix 'nightmare' roundabout begins

Cotswold District Councillors Joe Harris, Claire Bloomer and Lisa Spivey have received many complaints about the delays at the Tesco roundabout, as it is known locally, in Cirencester

Work to fix a water leak on a "nightmare" roundabout should be completed in four weeks' time, Gloucestershire County Council has said.

One section of the Kings Meadow Roundabout in Cirencester, known locally as Tesco roundabout, was closed in March to investigate water coming from of its centre and the council has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Motorists complained that as a result of the partial closure, travelling around town had become a "nightmare", especially at rush hour.

Councillor Joe Harris is among those who has voiced their frustration. He has started a petition to "keep the council honest on their promise to fix this road within a month".

'Sceptical' residents

Harris, who is leader of Cotswold District Council and represents Cirencester Beeches at Gloucestershire County Council, said he welcomed plans to fix the road but said residents were "sceptical" as to whether the four-week timetable would be adhered to.

He set up a petition to keep the pressure on the county council to fix the road within a month, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

"Traversing the roads of Cirencester has turned into a nightmare lately, especially during rush hour due to the partial closure of the Tesco roundabout,” he said.

“The chaos reached its peak during Easter when a major utility company decided to undertake works in the town centre, resulting in an excruciatingly long journey through the town that took me over an hour."

Harris claimed the county council's communication with the public had been "severely lacking".

“I’ve set up this petition with colleagues to keep the county council honest on their promise to fix this road within a month, and hope as many people will sign as possible.”

Highways managers at Shire Hall have apologised for any inconvenience caused.

Daniel Tiffney, deputy area Highways manager for Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Construction works on the site have got under way this week, following extensive investigations and assessment of the area to identify the repairs needed.

“We anticipate the work will take four weeks to complete so we hope to be off-site by mid-June.

"A section of the roundabout will remain closed until the repairs are complete and we apologise for any inconvenience.”