Businesses take matters into their own hands over disruptive road closure
Wales and West Utilities has started a major £120,000 project to replace the gas pipes under Devizes Road and, following a closure from the Royal Oak roundabout, will shut the entire route in both directions from July 21 until the end of September to carry out the work in phases.
Read more:
Popular cultural festival returns to Swindon next month
Festival featuring tribute bands returning this weekend
Another road closure hits busy town road
Along with the free pavement licences that will allow businesses to serve customers outdoors while the closure is in place, there will also be three large-scale events across Devizes Road and Wood Street to bring, music, food and footfall back to the area.
Friends of Old Town, the public face of the Old Town Business Association, has organised the Old Town Gasworks Sunday Socials to support businesses affected by the loss of through traffic to the area.
A different themed event will take place on August 3, 17, and 31, on the closed stretch of road and Wood Street.
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The first weekend is a Family Festival with funfair rides, children's arts and crafts, chalk art installations and live acoustic music.
The second will be a Beer & Country Music Festival with craft beer bars, outdoor games and a line-up of Americana and folk bands.
The last event will expand Old Town's Street Foods Festival onto Devizes Road for the first time, featuring global cuisine, live music, artisan traders and a carnival atmosphere.
The events have been made possible thanks to sponsorship from the works company Wales & West Utilities.
Old Town Business Association chair Kris Talikowski said: 'When we learned Devizes Road would close for the whole of August, we knew we had to do more than just complain.
'These Sunday Socials are about turning disruption into something worth coming out for.
'They're designed to keep the area alive and thriving, not only for traders, but for the whole town.
'We're grateful to Wales & West for recognising the impact of their works and stepping in with meaningful support.'
Ross Gregory, external affairs manager for Wales & West Utilities, said: 'We understand the pressure roadworks can place on local high streets.
"That's why we're pleased to support this community-led programme of events, a positive and creative way of keeping Old Town vibrant while we deliver vital gas infrastructure upgrades.'
For more information about the events and the road closure, visit thisisoldtown.com/sundaysocials.
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