Works on road are 'worth it' (From Gazette Series)

Works on road are 'worth it'

FIVE months of roadworks aimed at easing congestion where the Avon Ring Road meets the M32 roundabout begins on Monday.

An extra lane will be added to the roundabout in a bid to improve the flow of traffic at the busy junction, which often comes to a standstill during the morning and evening rush hours.

Thousands of commuters use the roundabout to access the University of the West of England, the Ministry of Defence, the M32 motorway into Bristol and to get to Winterbourne, Yate and Emerson's Green.

Council officials are promising the end result, when traffic is hoped to flow much more freely, will be worth the months of delays.

Cllr Pat Hockey, executive member for planning, transportation and the strategic environment, said: "This scheme is all about reducing congestion. While there may be short-term delays for drivers while the work is going ahead we hope that, in the long term, the changes will make drivers' journeys a little easier."

Cllr Hockey added: "We are starting this work during the summer months, when traffic flow is lightest. We will make every effort to ensure that disruption is minimised during construction.

"However, in order to protect the workers, lane closures will be necessary, but this will only happen during off-peak periods. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and hope that drivers will bear with us while work is ongoing."

The project is Government-backed and is part of a wider scheme to improve safety on the ring road and reduce traffic congestion on selected sections.

It is expected that work will be completed by the end of December.

For more information call 01454 863640 or by writing to Network Services, South Gloucestershire Council, Broad Lane, Yate.