PEOPLE driving from Devizes to West Lavington after 7pm are having to take a long detour through Urchfont and Market Lavington for the next few weeks.

The diversion, which came into force on Wednesday, is to allow work to be carried out to protect the railway bridge at the Chocolate Poodle, Littleton Panell.

The low bridge has been struck by high-sided lorries many times in recent years despite a number of schemes to make it more prominent.

Contractors employed by Network Rail are now installing collision protection beams, metal boxes designed to take the force of any collision.

The work will be done between 7pm and 6am and the closure will be in operation until July 3.

The road however will be open on the night of June 20 because of solstice at Stonehenge.

Paul Langham, the proprietor of neighbouring A'Beckett's vineyard, welcomed the work but thought it did not go far enough.

He said: "It is good they are protecting the bridge, but why aren't they putting up signs warning the drivers of high-sided vehicles that they can't come through there.

"They are going to all this effort, why not do a proper job?"

Last year Mr Langham's business was one of those that suffered when the A360 was closed for major repairs last year.

Further roadworks are also in the pipeline.

Last year, county council contractors only managed to resurface the stretch of the A360 between Black Dog crossroads and Littleton Panell and they have promised that the stretch between the crossroads and Potterne will be completed this year.

l The B3098 between Erlestoke Prison and Edington is due to close completely from July 25 for four weeks for resurfacing and reconstruction work to be carried out.