A SERIES of roadworks on one of Swindon's busiest routes is causing traffic chaos for drivers.

Rush-hour traffic battling to avoid the roadworks in Whitehouse Road, which started on Monday, face more misery as the delays look set to continue into next week.

Thames Water is in the middle of an 18-month package of improvements to improve the quality of the town's water.

Costing £12m, the roadworks were organised to take place on a rolling programme starting in January.

Angry motorists have been frustrated by the latest diversions and road closures, which have caused lengthy tailbacks along Great Western Way.

Station Road also remains closed at the junction with Whitehouse Road, while two lanes of Corporation Street have been reduced to one lane until Friday.

The misery is set to continue into next week with the closure of Corporation Street to southbound traffic from Monday.

The busy street will be closed between the Manchester Road and Fleming Way junctions. A diversion will be set up.

Thames Water says the work is part of a vital programme of replacing and relaying pipes, to ensure the quality of Swindon's water remains high.

Spokesman Andy Boyd said the company apologised for the disruption caused but stressed the work is essential. He said: "It is work that is needed every 50 years or so and involves a servicing of our mains. If we don't do it over time people would probably notice a discolouration of their water.

"We know we are causing inconvenience. If we are working in town centres there is unfortunately no way we can avoid disruption and we are sorry."