TRAFFIC experts have warned that drivers face constant gridlock unless action is taken to ease traffic flow of Swindon's roads.

Transport consultants Halcrow say public participation is essential to work out a strategy to make road chaos a thing of the past.

The company is calling on residents to visit North Swindon Library at the Orbital Retail Park in Thamesdown Drive on Saturday to have their say.

Halcrow will be displaying plans and ideas including widening arterial routes into the town, such as Cricklade Road, to create a dual carriageway.

The plans are part of a £100m bid to the Government to improve the town's roads.

On Tuesday, the Adver reported on Swindon Council's bid which will be put to the Department of Transport in 2008.

The bid details potential solutions to Swindon's traffic chaos by building a new route to the west, linking Thamesdown Drive to the Great Western Way and improving bottle-neck junctions on the Great Western Way such as Bruce Street Bridges.

Other ideas include creating more bus lanes, and a public transport drive to encourage residents to cycle, share a car or use buses to get to work.

Halcrow consultant Ben Pritchard said: "These plans aren't something we would launch straight away and the public need to be made aware of that.

"These plans are something that would be implemented over time but we need consultation with the public to know where the real trouble spots are.

"It's essential that both we and the public work together on this to improve links in the town."

The local transport plan introduced by Swindon Council already sets out aims to improve roads and bus services throughout the town but Halcrow plans to put together a transport package with the aim of meeting the needs of Swindon by 2030.

Thamesdown Drive carries most traffic in the northern sector of Swindon with the Meads roundabout, Akers Way and Bruce Street Bridges some of the most affected by traffic in Swindon's Western Corridor.

The transport exhibition will run from 10am to 4pm at the Orbital Retail Park.

More information can be viewed at www.swindon.gov.uk.