Plans to turn the remaining single carriageway sections of the A350 at Chippenham into dual carriageways are now open for public consultation.

The proposals also look to improve Bumpers Farm Roundabout, improving journey times on the A350 and giving easier access to and from the industrial estate.

The scheme has been highlighted by the Government as one of several national “infrastructure projects which will be accelerated as fast as possible” as part of its Growth Plan 2022, and the Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated £26.6 million for the plans.

The current programme will see construction work start in 2024 and complete in 2025.

The council is in the process of finalising the detailed design phase of the project and is now seeking feedback on the plans.

The engagement period began November 30 and ends on February 3 next year.

To enable people to find out more about the scheme and ask questions, there will be a presentation at Chippenham Area Board at 7pm on 12 December at Sutton Benger Village Hall; or people can sign up for an online webinar to be held from 6pm-7pm on Wednesday 11 January 2023.

There will also be a display in Chippenham Library for the duration of the engagement period.

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This scheme is a priority for both Wiltshire Council and the Government.

"We have already widened much of the A350 at Chippenham, and these final two phases of dualling will further increase capacity and improve journey times from Chequers roundabout to Lackham roundabout, and then from Cepen Park South to Bumpers Farm.

“As we state in our business plan, we want to have well-connected communities, and this scheme will help to deliver improved connections for both Chippenham and the A350 corridor.

“It’s really important that people let us know their views on these proposals by joining us at an engagement session and completing the survey. We’ll then use this feedback to help shape the full business case, which we’re looking to submit to the Department for Transport in 2023.”

Following a public inquiry in the 1990s, the A350 dual-carriageway Chippenham bypass scheme was granted planning consent.

The first three phases of dualling have been completed, and the A350 Chippenham Bypass phase four and five scheme will build upon that work.

To find out more, book the webinar and take the survey, people can click here.