GAZETTE & HERALD: Councillors were due to consider road safety improvements on the A4 at Studley Crossroads at a meeting last night .

The owners of Blount Court Nurseries have submitted a planning application to redevelop the garden centre and make highway improvements.

The plans include staggering the crossroads to ease the flow of traffic, adding two pedestrian refuges and moving the bus lane.

Lord Lansdowne, who owns the land at the nursery, believes the improvements could help cut the number of accidents at the junction.

He said: "It will make a dangerous road much safer. Wiltshire County Council has agreed to it in principle."

He believes that the stretch of road between Chippenham and Calne should have a 50mph speed limit.

"I also hope they recommend a 40 mph limit on either side of the junction. I think it is a critical part of the scheme, so everyone has to slow down when they approach it," she said.

Studley Crossroads is a notorious black spot and although the county council has agreed it needs improving, it only has funds for lining and signing.

Lord Lansdowne has been attempting to improve the crossroads for years but several applications for a roundabout were turned down.

In October the Gazette launched a campaign to improve the A4 between Chippenham and Calne. After months of campaigning and gathering 3,000 signatures the Gazette convinced the highways authority of the need to implement road safety measures.