A MULTI-MILLION pound project to upgrade junction 16 of the M4 can now "start in earnest" after a contractor was appointed to begin work as early as next month.

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 will start by mid-October.

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.

The redesign of the motorway junction is being carried out to ensure it can cope with both future traffic levels and housing development in the surrounding area.

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.

There will be a dedicated right turn from the A3102 Swindon Road to Hay Lane and a new footway connecting the two as well.

Some of the vegetation around the junction has already been removed in recent weeks prior to the start of the major works.

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainability and transport, said: “Now we have appointed Hochtief as the contractor, the work on the much needed improvements to Junction 16 can start in earnest.

“The council is committed to improving the road infrastructure across the borough to ensure there is increased capacity in place before major housing developments are built. This scheme is part of our five-year strategic highways improvement programme, which will benefit not just people in Swindon, but those living in Wiltshire and visitors to the town.

“Hochtief was awarded the contract following a rigorous tender process and has an excellent track record of delivering major highways projects across the country. The fact Junction 16 is on the doorstep of the company’s headquarters also adds some additional local interest to the project.”

Sally Cox, Hochtief’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Swindon Borough Council, Highways England and Wiltshire Council to deliver these important improvements which will have a positive impact on the local area.

“We will work closely with Swindon Borough Council to keep road users and the local community informed about the project.”

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