SALISBURY'S already congested roads are proving even more of a headache for motorists this week, as roadworks nearly brought traffic to a standstill around the city.

Just a week after it opened, Skew Bridge was the scene of more tailbacks as workmen returned. In Wilton, there are delays in the Avenue where the park-and-ride site is being constructed and the work to improve the junction at New Cut crossroads is also causing queues.

Gas works in Fisherton Street brought chaos to the city centre, there have been drainage works between Netherhampton and Harnham and motorists entering Salisbury from the south say their journey time has doubled because of the queues at Britford, where another park-and-ride site is being constructed.

Meanwhile, hopes of getting a roundabout installed at New Cut crossroads have been effectively dashed, after transport chiefs confirmed that such work would not be going ahead.

Last month, Salisbury MP Robert Key wrote to Wiltshire county council transport boss Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, asking about the possibility of constructing a roundabout at the hazardous spot.

In reply, Ms de Rhe-Philipe said improvement works at the junction had been chosen following an examination of the personal injury accident record and the timescale and funding available. She said the county council had to fit in with the timetable for the Wilton park-and-ride site.

Practical issues such as power supply and drainage requirements, alterations to underground BT and water apparatus, the need for Environment Agency approvals and the purchasing of additional land also meant a roundabout could not go ahead this year.

After a roundabout scheme was discussed at the last joint transportation committee meeting, members decided that "design work for a roundabout be undertaken to enable a cost estimate to be prepared" and such a scheme be "added to the list of potential schemes for funding in future years".

The notorious junction, where the Avenue meets the A360 at Devizes Road, has attracted its fair share of criticism since so-called "improvement" works began some weeks ago.

Flashing speed-activated signs and the installation of slip roads have been branded a waste of taxpayers' money, with many locals feeling the cash could be better spent.

Ms de Rhe-Philipe said funds for local highway authorities to carry out major road schemes come from central government and are only available once all statutory procedures have been completed.

She added: "Until the design work has been completed, the estimated cost of a roundabout cannot be accurately established.

"However, a ballpark figure of £600,000 is reasonable for the cost of a roundabout at New Cut. The work that is being done at the members' request will provide a more accurate and reliable figure on which to base a bid From page 1

landscaping work was carried out," said a spokesman for the Highways Agency.

"They also replaced border fencing for Network Rail and did some work on the embankment. There will be more traffic restrictions when the site offices are removed. This is quite a big job because we have no choice but to use cranes to lift them.

"We also have to restore everything to the way it was beforehand, which might involve some work with the pipes and electricity cables. Once this has been completed, the road will be fully open."

The troubled project has seen two new footbridges installed over the railway line to improve safety.

The roadworks have run £1m over budget and were supposed to be finished in April.

The delay has angered nearby business owners, who have experienced a decline in trade.