HIGHWAY works to improve traffic flow and journey times on the A350 at Chippenham and at Junction 17 on the M4 are due to be started later this summer.

The A350 Chippenham Bypass between Badger near Morrisons and Brook roundabouts will be the first to receive a makeover along with the A4/A350 Chequers roundabout near McDonalds in mid July following the successful works on the road last year.

The £7.1m scheme, which is led by Wiltshire Council and supported by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), are due to start in mid July and finish by August 2018.

Bridget Wayman, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for highways said: “By making targeted improvements to the A350 Chippenham Bypass and at Junction 17 on the M4, average journey times are expected to reduce, while journey time reliability is expected to improve significantly. These improvements can help create opportunities to attract new investment into the area and support the growth of existing businesses.”

In addition to the plans, improvement work will also be carried out at Junction 17 of the M4 to address safety and congestion issues in August and should be finished by the end of the year.

Paddy Bradley, Director, Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership said “The SWLEP’s priorities include improving transport to facilitate growth in the local economy. Upgrades to the A350 Chippenham Bypass and Junction 17 are projects benefitting from our Local Growth Fund as they will support business growth by reducing journey times and traffic congestion. Transport improvements such as these make the area more attractive to business and people who wish to live and work in Wiltshire.”

Andrew Page-Dove, Highways England South West Director, added: “Highways England and Wiltshire Council have been working in partnership to deliver an improvement scheme at M4 junction 17 to safely accommodate future planned growth in Chippenham.

“Thanks to Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund, Wiltshire Council plans to deliver a signalisation scheme at the junction exit slip roads later this year.

“The scheme is designed to better manage the flows at the junction, allowing more time for vehicles to exit the slip roads and therefore reduce congestion and queuing on the M4, and pave the way for the planned growth to commence.”

Plans to minimise disruption will be in place but a drop in session for questions on any of the upcoming A350 works will be held at Chippenham Rugby Club on Monday, July 3 from 3-7pm. More information can also be found online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-improvements.