WORK to a multi-million project to upgrade junction 16 of the M4 is set to being.

Hochtief, which has its UK headquarters close to Junction 16 at Windmill Hill Business Park, was chosen as the preferred contractor following a recent tender process.

Initial work on the key highway interchange, including site surveys, office installation and clearance work is now to start.

Major construction work is due to start from mid-November, with an anticipated completion date of spring 2018.

The project will cost around £11.5 million and is being funded by Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) and the Wichelstowe development.

It is being delivered by Swindon Borough Council in partnership with Highways England and Wiltshire Council.

The motorway junction redesign is a requirement of the outline planning permission for the major housing development at nearby Wichelstowe and needs to be complete before the 1,100th property on the site is occupied.

Around 5,500 vehicles an hour currently use Junction 16 at morning and evening peak times and this is expected to rise by more than 50 per cent over the coming years.

The work will see the roundabout altered and slip roads widened. The traffic signals will also be replaced and improvements will be made to the junction’s drainage.

Further details about the scheme can be found at: www.swindon.gov.uk/junction16