Swindon Labour’s birthday celebration for Mead Way roadworks was labelled Holly Willoughby’s favourite story of the week after making it onto ITV’s This Morning.

Labour activists took a card and cake to the controversial junction last week, to mark the third anniversary of roadworks starting, and have since featured on national TV.

Discussing the party on Monday’s This Morning, Holly said: “This is quite possibly my favourite story of the day, I’m going to say the week even though it’s Monday, I don’t think it’s going to get better than this.

“Good on you. It’s clearly been dragging on, they’ve had enough, but they’ve kept their sense of humour.”

Regular guest Gyles Brandreth also had sympathy for locals frustrated at the ongoing debate over the junction.

Swindon Advertiser:

He added: “I very much appreciate that. I live just over Hammersmith Bridge, which has not been open to cars for ten years, and I hope to live long enough to see it reopen.

“I think to have a sense of humour and go and celebrate these roadworks is a brilliant idea. They should’ve worn cones instead of party hats.”

The road reopened to motorists in November 2021, but officers are now investigating the possibility of redrawing the junction with the main road and Westmead Drive after several accidents raised concerns over its safety.

Work started on the junction in March 2020, and was due to be completed later that year, but the scheme was delayed by the Covid-19 lockdown and other issues.

Cllr Jim Robbins, who attended the celebration with South Swindon candidate Heidi Alexander, said: “It gives me no pleasure to be holding another birthday party for Mead Way.

"I would much rather that we were focusing on a well-designed and well-delivered road project, but residents are still suffering after the years of delays and broken promises from the council and now the dangerous layout which seems to be causing near misses on a daily basis.

"Ward councillors still haven't been given sight of the new plans for the junction and the failed Conservative administration are refusing to consult with us or residents.”

The council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure and transport, Gary Sumner, said: “Officers are still working on a detailed technical analysis of the junction and any potential issues and changes that could be made.

“As intended, the scheme has resulted in better traffic flows and the professionals who will oversee the project have to look at all accident data supplied to ensure that causes are fully understood.”