ROADWORKS and rail upgrades could land Yate and Chipping Sodbury commuters in the centre of a “perfect storm”, according to a Yate councillor.

As part of essential maintenance work to the Bromley Heath viaduct by South Gloucestershire Council, a section of the A4174 ring road is set to close for 33 weeks from July 23

The repairs to the viaduct, which had originally been scheduled to last 12 months, was reduced following a £2.8million grant by the West of England Joint Committee.

And while the scheme is likely to cause traffic bottlenecks through Coalpit Heath, Winterbourne and Westerleigh during the rush hour, with 48,000 vehicles travelling through the three villages towards the ring road every day, the traffic situation stands to get much worse.

During two weeks in September, the rail line between Yate and Bristol Parkway is closed while Network Rail carry out electrification works, with replacement bus services on offer to ferry commuters around.

“People from Yate, Sodbury and the other villages are going to find themselves in the centre of a perfect storm,” said Yate town councillor Chris Willmore.

“We are appalled that the authorities have not coordinated their activities, it will be hell, but they could have made it slightly better if they tried. “

She said that, on a particularly bad day, it can take an hour to travel from Yate to Bristol or Filton, and with these works in place, there is every chance it could take more than two hours.

“As residents of Yate, we have a little time to work our way around it during the summer holidays, but in September it will be hell.

“There is no doubt these works had to be done, but with Yate station awash with students going to Filton College, it will be a nightmare.”

She said some residents had already told her they may look to go away for the two weeks in September simply to avoid the chaos.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said they had been liaising with the rail operator to plan for any additional pressure this closure may cause to the road network, including ensuring that routes for replacement services are as efficient as possible.

He added that a series of community engagement meetings had taken place to keep resident sup to speed over the work, and that further meetings and announcements are due to take place.

The spokesman said: “We are doing everything we can to ensure that people are aware of the impact the essential work on the viaduct will have for commuters and people travelling through the area.”

A Network Rail spokesman said that they had been working closely with South Gloucestershire Council and Great Western Railways to minimise the impact of the work on local residents, and that they would continue to do so while the work takes place.

He said: “The work at Bristol Parkway station is an essential part of our Railway Upgrade Plan which will pave the way for a new fleet of electric trains and the benefits these will bring to residents and passengers.

“These benefits include more seats, more comfortable journeys and less noise and air pollution for those who live close to the railway line.”

Residents with any questions or concerns about the electrification work are asked to call the 24/7 helpline on 03457 114141 or visit the dedicated webpage www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/great-western-mainline/south-gloucestershire.

For more information on the Bromley Heath Viaduct works, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/bhviaduct.