MOTORISTS have been spared a weekend of traffic chaos because bridge building work on the A303 near Amesbury has been delayed.

The project to construct a road bridge at Folly Bottom near the Solstice Park development would have meant the closure of the busy dual carriageway with westbound traffic being diverted off the A303 at Andover and directed into Salisbury.

From there signs would lead drivers on to the A36 to take them north - over Skew Bridge where there are lengthy delays and temporary traffic lights because of a major improvement scheme.

However, the tailbacks have been set back because the beams needed to support the bridge at Folly Bottom are not finished.

A spokeswoman for the Highways Agency said: "There have been difficulties in getting the beams and as a result we will not be shutting the A303 as planned this weekend.

"We will need to close the A303 at some stage, perhaps in late February, although no date has yet been confirmed."

The changed plans mean that Skew Bridge, which was due to open this weekend to accommodate the extra traffic despite the roadworks, will now close completely.

Spokesman for the Skew Bridge scheme Robin Miller said: "The schemes run in co-operation with each other and since the A303 will now be open as normal, Skew Bridge will shut as there is plenty for the contractors to do.

o Motorists further west on the A303 at Chicklade Bottom may not escape the queues altogether this weekend as the westbound carriageway will close for three days while contractors install a £75,000 variable message sign.

The work was due to start on January 5 but was delayed due to bad weather.

From today until Saturday a contraflow will be in operation with a 40mph speed limit.

Wiltshire county council will also be closing the unclassified roads connecting the A303 with Hindon and Fonthill Bishop.

Project sponsor at Chicklade Bottom Phil Hardy-Bishop said: "The contraflow will be in place while the contractors install new traffic detector loops in the westbound carriageway. Every effort will be made to minimise delays and the traffic management will be clearly signed.

"However, drivers should allow more time for their journeys especially at peak travel times."