Design for multi-million pound Mead Way upgrade underway

Plans to reduce congestion on one of Swindon’s key roads are currently at the detailed design stage with work set to start at the end of next year.

Mead Way is set to benefit from £4 million of investment, which will see the road widened between the Meads Roundabout and Withymead Roundabout to provide additional capacity. Westmead Roundabout will also be remodelled to reduce queuing from the junction onto Great Western Way.

The junction improvements are also likely to include enhanced pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities.

Mead Way is a key route connecting the residential and business districts of West Swindon with the town centre and the Strategic Road Network.

A public consultation on the scheme design options will be held during the summer with construction set to start at the end of next year.

The improvements are being funded by a grant from the Department for Transport’s National Productivity Investment Fund of £2.53 million with a further £1.5 million in Section 106 contributions already held by the Council for improvements to Mead Way.

Cllr Mary Martin, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Place, said: “Improving Swindon’s infrastructure is one of the Council’s top priorities and it is vital we keep the town moving and invest in our roads so they have the capacity to cope with increased levels of traffic.

“Millions of pounds has already been ploughed into major highway improvements over the last few years and Mead Way is the latest of those, building on the work that will take place at nearby Mannington Roundabout.

“This work will not only help residents, but will give a boost to local businesses and the local economy by reducing journey times at a junction that suffers from congestion particularly at weekends and peak times.”

Details of the public consultation will be announced in due course.