MOTORISTS are warned they could face delays when the next phase of roadworks at Twin Bridges roundabout begins later this month.

Work on the Skimped Hill Lane arm – involving lane closures – will start in the week commencing January 27 from 9am-4.30pm to keep disruption during rush hour to a minimum.

This is part of the ongoing project to widen lanes and the approaches to the Twin Bridges roundabout to improve traffic flow.

Bracknell Forest Council says unrelated work by the National Grid to lay a gas pipe – which means the Easthampstead Road exit from the roundabout is now shut round-the-clock – should be completed by January 27.

Neil Mathews, Bracknell Forest Council’s transport development manager, said: “The roundabout is an important link between the M3 and M4 and there are a number of junctions.

“It’s a key gateway into the town centre and is particularly significant given what is going on with the regeneration.” The roadworks on the northern section of the roundabout are expected to last until July but Mr Mathews said adverse weather conditions could lead to delays.

The entire roundabout will then be resurfaced with new traffic lights installed in August, finishing the multi-million pound overhaul of Twin Bridges.

Mr Mathews said the Twin Bridges project – which began on the southern side in Downshire Way in April – should not cause as much disruption as before.

He said: “We’ve had 24-hour lane closures in place which have caused inevitable delays. The rest of the work will involve more lane closures but what’s different is these will be off-peak.” Some final work on the southern side of the roundabout – Downshire Way, Berkshire Way and Mill Lane – will be completed in the next fortnight.

Work on the northern side will include Skimped Hill Lane, Easthampstead Road and Downshire Way.

Mr Mathews added the overall project was “very complex”.

He said: “Road building is a lot more technical than it appears. It may look like a very straightforward thing to do but as we go along we’re having to work around gas and water works and lay all the cable down for the new street lighting which will be put in at the end of the project.

“We are building a road to last for the next 25 years.” The unrelated work by National Grid to move a gas pipe in Easthampstead Road, which began on Monday, means motorists are unable to enter Easthampstead Road from the Twin Bridges junction – instead being diverted along the northern side of Downshire Way and through the Western Industrial Area.

Work on lane-widening work on the northern side of Twin Bridges will not start until the gas pipe work has been finished.

For more information visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/twinbridgesworks