Improvements to A350 around Chippenham

Work to improve traffic flow on a section of the A350 around Chippenham which started last summer has now been completed ahead of schedule and on budget.

The work included upgrading the existing A350 Chippenham Bypass to a dual two-lane between Bumpers Farm Roundabout and Brook Roundabout immediately to the north. The improvements will help improve journey times and ease the congestion around this area.

The £3.4 million scheme funded by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) and Wiltshire Council, has also delivered improvements on approaches from both directions to Bumpers Farm Roundabout and the Brook Roundabout.

Philip Whitehead, cabinet member for highways, said: “This is a very important route, one which has typically been a bottleneck. Although there has been some disruption while the work was completed, the outcome will improve journey times and ease the congestion around this area.

“Wiltshire is already very well connected in terms of transport links and this investment will bring economic benefits to the county as Wiltshire becomes an even more appealing place for businesses looking to relocate.”

Barry Dennington, chair of the SWLEP said “The A350 is the key route from the M4 motorway into Chippenham, and therefore a priority for the SWLEP.

“Along with reducing congestion, the scheme will also improve the viability of employment sites in the town and help encourage more businesses to invest in the area.”

There are outline plans to begin work to dual the remaining sections of the A350 from Badger Roundabout (Morrison) to Checkers Roundabout (A4) in 2017. More information will be released on this nearer the time.