LANE closures will remain in Queens Drive for the time being despite repairs to the burst pipe being completed.

Queens Drive in Swindon was reduced to one lane in both directions yesterday to allow Thames Water engineers to safely repair a burst water pipe close to the junction with Somerville Road.

The 12-inch diameter pipe burst at 6am on Sunday and Thames Water has urged drivers, and pedestrians who usually use the nearby crossing, to allow extra time for journeys. 

A spokesman for Thames Water said today: "The lane closures will remain in place for a few more days yet as, although we’ve repaired the pipe, we've got to replace the barriers, railings and pedestrian crossing traffic lights that we had to take out to do the job.

"It’s not safe to reopen the lanes until this has been done. We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption.