Final checks carried out on new £30m road under M4
BBCA new £30m road which runs under the M4 could open as soon as next month.
The Southern Access Road, which connects Junction 16 of the M4 with the Wichelstowe estate in Wiltshire, was completed in 2023 but has remained closed due to delays in connecting it to the existing road network.
A spokesperson from Swindon Borough Council said the "final road checks" were being carried out and it was hoped the "road will be opened by the end of next month".
John Webb, who drove to Wichelstowe's Waitrose from Swindon, said while he does not "think the traffic is that bad", anything "that balances out cars" would "be a good thing".
The road, which joins Hay Lane and Wharf Road at a specially-built roundabout and passes beneath the M4 east of Junction 16, was created with £22.9m of funding from the Department of Transport and £5.8m from Swindon Borough Council.
The council's website adds: "The main purpose of the road is to provide access to Wichelstowe. It is not a relief road and should not attract large amounts of through traffic."
Plans for the Southern Access Road first went on display in 2019, with the council completing their work on the underpass in 2023.
The final connection into Wichelstowe via Scott Way was the responsibility of the developers Wichelstowe LLP, who have been building the connecting road in phases alongside new housing.
Local resident John Matejko said: "I didn't even know the road was being opened. I'll possibly use it as a part and parcel [to reach Wichelstowe]."
Meanwhile Eleanor Bird said she is "not convinced" the road will have much of an impact on congestion in the area.
"Each road here regardless meets on Wootton Bassett road, so you're still going to have that as the central busy area," she added.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the road project was shortlisted for the ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards after being recognised for its tunneling work - which was done without requiring full motorway closures.
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