TREES are falling and fences are going up in preparation for Swindon's next big road project.

The Turnpike roundabout is rather bare after contractors moved in to fell trees and shrubs around the junction as part of the continuing work on the Blunsdon bypass, which has also seen the demolition of a former petrol station.

Only the former Little Chef, which closed last November, remains standing, although it can only be a matter of time before the brick-built structure succumbs to the wrecking ball.

Work started on the scheme on September 18 last year - several months earlier than originally planned - and the bypass is expected to be open to traffic in the winter of 2008.

Although the work is well under way, drivers won't suffer the problems of roadworks until the end of the year That will then last for 12 months until the completion of the project. When finished, the £65.5m scheme will provide Blunsdon with a two-mile dual carriageway bypass and a new, two-level junction, which will replace Turnpike roundabout and take thousands of cars out of Blunsdon village.