‘UK’s wonkiest road’ so damaged it was used as a makeshift skate park to finally be fixed after being shut for 2 YEARS
The “UK’s wonkiest road” used as a makeshift skatepark is finally being repaired after more than two years.
The B4069 near Lyneham, Wiltshire, has been dubbed the UK’s wonkiest road after a landslip in 2022 caused it to split, with the damage getting worse and worse as the days went by.
The damage to the road was so significant it looked as if an earthquake had devastated the area.
Opportunistic skaters turned the destroyed road into a makeshift skatepark.
The road was closed for more than two years, causing disruption for locals.
However, Wiltshire Council announced on Friday that Octavius Infrastructure Limited had been awarded the repair contract, with work set to start later this year.
A spokesperson said: “Work on site is due to begin in summer 2024 and the council expects the road to reopen in spring 2025.
“Once the B4069 has reopened, the council will be undertaking repairs to the local road network, which has been subject to increased traffic during the closure of the road.”
Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’re pleased to award the contract to rebuild the B4069 at Lyneham Banks to Octavius, after what has been a difficult time for the community.
“As well as the build, in its tender, Octavius committed to providing various local social benefits, including a meet the contractor event, project newsletters and community litter picks.
“We are committed to having well-connected communities in our Business Plan, and this rebuild project will reopen this road once again, which will be a positive step forward for the local community.”
The local pub, The Cross Keys in Bradenstoke, has also reportedly lost significant sums in trade since the road was shut.
Cllr Caroline Thomas previously said that the work could not be carried out until the road stops moving, describing it as a “major undertaking of significant scale”.
If the application is approved, work could take up to eight months.
Lyneham councillor Alison Bucknall said: “It’s important we get it right, and we want this to be fixed once.
“The plan is quite extensive and a huge amount of drainage work is planned in order to futureproof it.
“In fields either side, a herringbone of drainage will take water away.
“The replacement part of the road will be built on pillars, which is quite a major engineering project.”
The Sun has approached Wiltshire Council for comment.
It comes after a pensioner revealed he would rather go to jail than pay council tax because potholes are so bad near his home.
And this town which boasts the world’s longest pleasure pier is home to Britain’s most potholed roads.