A350 roadworks set to be delayed in Chippenham

Wiltshire Council announced earlier this year it was planning to begin the final phases of the A350 dualling project in Chippenham this spring.

This will see the route transformed into a dual carriageway between the Lackham and Chequers roundabouts and the Cepen Park South and Bumpers Farm roundabouts.

Temporary traffic orders will be in place from Monday, May 6, that will allow the council to implement a 40mph speed limit as and when is required for the work to start.

Read More: A350 traffic: Dual carriageway works begin in Chippenham

Traffic during works on the A350 (Image: Trevor Porter)

But the council said it is still waiting for the final sign-off on the project from the Department for Transport and that work is now unlikely to begin before June.

While it is unclear at the time of writing when this approval will be granted, the council said it is hoping the green light will be imminent.

Once this notice has been sent, the next phases of the scheme are expected to start around a month later.

During this time, the council will be carrying out a full programme of public engagement to highlight the steps they are taking to reduce traffic disruption during the works, which are currently scheduled to last until November next year.

The council said it is ready to begin roadworks, once approval is granted, after completing preliminary works that began in January.

Speaking in March, Cllr Nick Holder, the cabinet member for highways, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, but this final phase of the Chippenham A350 dualling scheme will reduce journey times and congestion on this key Wiltshire road.

“Preliminary works have already taken place ahead of the main construction, which is expected to begin in spring 2024 and end in autumn 2025, subject to the approval of the full business case by the Department for Transport.

“Public information events will be held before the main works begin to share more information on the benefits of the scheme, how we are mitigating disruption, and what traffic management arrangements will be in place.”

Read more: Traffic 'hell' fears on busy A-road as 18 months of roadworks to start

A350 works at Chippenham (Image: Trevor Porter)

The work will include narrowing lanes to allow for new carriageway construction.

As part of the project, there will also be alterations to Bumpers Farm Roundabout, including increasing capacity by adding extra lanes and traffic lights on the A350 and A420.

The council hopes the scheme will improve congestion on the A-road in the long term.