DRIVERS will be relieved to hear that the end of the road is in sight for the long-term repair works near Ashton Keynes.

For two months the B4696 between Ashton Keynes and Leigh has been closed and drivers have had to follow diversions of up to three miles.

Major maintenance work has been carried out since February 2 including drainage work, resurfacing and kerbing.

The works were due to finish today, but because of the recent bad weather the finish has been delayed.

Wiltshire County Council now expects everything to be finished by next Wednesday.

The work has meant motorists have had to follow diversions from the B4040 up to the A419 and then back onto the B4696 to be able to reach Ashton Keynes.

Marianne Jacobs, who lives in Ashton Keynes and travels to work in Swindon each day, said: "The diversion has been adding three miles on to my journey, but it is time they did something about the horrendous state of the roads around Ashton Keynes."

Alan Clark of Wiltshire County Council's Highways department said: "The work has been carried out according to plan.

"The bad weather recently has led to some delays, but we are only a few days behind schedule.

"We have not received any major complaints about the works, although we have received queries from people about the diversion in place."

Between 10 and 12 workers have been involved in the project each day for the past nine weeks.

Wiltshire County Council has contracted the work to Devizes highway company Ringway Parkman, which undertakes most of the council's roadworks.

Resurfacing works have also been undertaken on Wiltshire County Council's section of the nearby Spine Road, which was previously riddled with potholes.

Friday's Ham Lane near Ashton Keynes is another road that many local motorists believe is in need of resurfacing, but the council confirmed that it does not have any plans to resurface it.

Anyone wishing to report road surfacing problems in the Wiltshire County Council area can call the freephone helpline on 0800 232 323, but this number only works for people living within the council's boundaries.

People from Swindon borough wishing to report road surface issues in the county council's patch should call 01225 777234.

To report road issues in the Swindon Council area call 01793 466344.

Emma-Kate Lidbury