The roadworks on Skew Bridge are set to remain a while longer. DA4701P2MOTORISTS can expect an extra three months of misery - because the roadworks at Skew Bridge, in Salisbury, have fallen behind schedule.

The repairs, which started on June 2 last year, were due to take 45 weeks and to be completed in April, but a series of setbacks means the long queues on the A36 coming in and out of the city will last well into the summer.

The delays will also hike up the cost of the project, which was originally estimated at £2.5m, but the Highways Agency is unsure what the final bill will be, as they cannot guarantee the engineers will not face further problems.

"It is too early to say if this is it and exactly when the work will finish but at this stage they are three months behind," said spokesman Robin Miller.

"The reason for the delay is that the railway embankment is more unstable than had been expected and a lot of extra work was needed to shore it up.

"The problem is that we can only do this when we get permission from Network Rail and it doesn't interfere with the running of the trains.

"It is not simply a case of doing it at night because the work is very noisy and we have to consider the local residents."

Engineers have been carrying out sheet-piling work to strengthen the embankment and enable it to support two new footbridges that are being installed to improve pedestrian safety and form a better barrier between the road and the railway line below.

"That work is nearly finished and the next stage is sliding the bridges into place," said Mr Miller.

"The first will be put in at the end of January and the second will be there in February."

Since the roadworks began, fed-up motorists have encountered lengthy queues, weekend road closures and diversions at Skew Bridge and the busy junction with Roman Road.

The work has forced many to find alternative routes and car owners are annoyed at the prospect of spending at least another three months in the traffic jams.

"We know that the work has to be done and we knew from the start it would take about a year," said one driver, who spends almost two hours a week in the Skew Bridge snarl-up.

"But to hear that it will take a further three months is frustrating, to say the least."

Members of Wilton town council said last week that they were concerned by the delays and wanted to arrange a site visit to view the progress.

"Obviously, this is very annoying," said Councillor Tim Abbott.

"But I am worried about the children who have to walk over Skew Bridge in that state on their way to school.

"We want to go and see for ourselves what is going on and why it is so delayed."