PLANS to improve traffic flow along a busy West Swindon transport corridor will be shared with road users and residents at two drop-in events.

Work to widen the northbound carriageway of Mead Way is expected to start in the autumn. Detailed designs are still being finalised but two northbound lanes would be created on Mead Way between The Meads roundabout on Great Western Way and Withymead roundabout.

Westmead roundabout would be replaced with a signal junction in an effort to reduce congestion in the local area. The hope is that by creating extra capacity northbound queuing traffic will be cut and vehicles will be able to get in and out of The Meads more easily.

The extra lane on Mead Way, which will stretch for half a kilometre, will provide capacity for around 100 extra cars,

A decision not to dual the road in both directions was made because of the highway boundary and the high cost of buying the land.

There is a chance to see the scheme and talk to highways officers at two information drop-in sessions at the Delta Tennis Centre in Welton Road, Westlea on Thursday between 12noon and 4pm. on January 31 between 4pm and 8pm.

Maureen Penny, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for highways and the environment, said: “We have been looking at a number of options to improve traffic flow along Mead Way within the limited funding that we have available and the traffic modelling we have carried out shows that this scheme will benefit both motorists travelling towards north Swindon, and those that use Great Western Way.

“Lots of people use Mead Way and Great Western Way on their daily journeys so I would encourage people to come along to the information sessions to find out more and ask questions. This is a great opportunity for motorists and local residents to tell us what they think of the plans.”

Further information about the scheme can be found on the Council’s website