A YEAR of work to replace Coral Reef roundabout with a four-way traffic light system has come to an end months ahead of schedule. 

The new traffic lights were switched on at 2pm this afternoon (Monday), signalling the end of works which saw the roundabout ripped out and replaced with a new traffic light system in aims of easing congestion on the A322.

The work was due to be complete in autumn 2016 after first getting underway in March 2015. 

Drivers had complained about the works causing more traffic and tail backs and just last Thursday were outraged that works went on until 1am in the morning. 

However Cllr Chris Turrell, Bracknell Forest Council's executvie member for planning and transport apologised for the disruption and said the works were "urgently required" to avoid disrupting rush-hour traffic.

The disruption to the road is not over though as Bracknell Forest Council are set to swing into action to resurface the A322 Bagshot Road between the Hilton Roundabout and Coral Reef junction from next Monday (April 18). 

Four weeks of work will take place to resurface the existing carriageway which is disintegrating.

Most of the work will be completed using overnight road closures between 8.30pm and 6am Monday to Friday with noisier work taking place earlier in the evening to lessen disruption.

Signed diversion routes will be in place and the resurfacing will be staggered so work is not taking place on both carriageways at the same time.

Cllr Chris Turrell, executive member for highways and transport, said: “Once the resurfacing is complete, work around the Coral Reef junction will have been completed months ahead of initially planned which is testament to the planning and hard work of Bracknell Forest Council staff and our contractors Ringway.

“This essential resurfacing work has the potential to create noise disturbance for nearby residents and for that we apologise. We have planned to minimise this disruption as much as possible. I would like to thank drivers for their patience over the course of the junction project and ahead of this work.”

The £3m improvements to the junction are funded through a government grant via the Thames Valley Berskhire Local Enterprise Partnership and are designed to complement the building of the Warfield link road and improvements to Martins Heron roundabout on London Road, due to be done before 2019.