'Dangerous' road layout changes on M4 roundabout spark outcry

In 2023, changes were introduced to the A350 northbound land designations approaching junction 17 of the M4, meaning the left-hand lane was only for drivers taking the M4 west, while all other vehicles were funnelled into the right-hand lane.

However, just one year on Wiltshire Council has confirmed it has scrapped these alterations due to lengthy delays.

For many motorists, who say there is no signage warning them of the latest change, this has caused confusion and chaos at the roundabout.

The 'new road layout' has now been revoked, but drivers say there are not enough signs to warn them of this (Image: Newsquest)

"It has been very poorly done as it’s just been written on the road and no signage to tell drivers," said Chippenham local Bloss Hopkins.

"I had no idea yesterday and it appears today that barely anyone knows.

"As a driver, this makes things incredibly difficult as now it’s dangerous to go straight on as drivers in the right still think they should be merging across and if I was to continue approaching in the right lane I’m doing the wrong thing.

"It’s just a magnet for accidents again now."

Motorist Rob Whiting added: "People are still getting in the right lane and cutting across to the A429.

"I saw two cars in the right lane cut across yesterday and almost take out a car in the left lane."

The controversial roundabout leads onto junction 17 of the M4 (Image: Newsquest)

Despite the lack of signage, the plans to scrap the road layout changes have been underway since May when Wiltshire Council publicly confirmed it would reverse alterations.

Speaking to the Gazette and Herald, Councillor Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, explained that this has been done because "the change was causing difficulties."

“The changes to the lane designations at the A350 northbound approach on the M4 Junction 17 last year were part of the Chippenham Gateway development," he explained.

“Upon completion of those works it became clear that the change was causing difficulties, with peak time traffic queues building up on the A350 and some instances of lane weaving at the entry point to the junction. 

“In response to the concerns raised, we have been working closely with National Highways to bring forward work to reinstate the previous lane designations, and to allow for two ahead lanes to join the M4 J17 circulatory carriageway from the A350.

“White line changes were successfully completed overnight on 16 July.”