A new date has been set for delayed works to a controversial roundabout on a major Wiltshire road.

The council had scheduled an improvement scheme at the Malmesbury Roundabout on the A350, which has previously been labelled an “accident hotspot”, for mid-July.

The key roundabout, where West Cepen Way meets Malmesbury Road, links Chippenham to the M4 and has caused confusion amongst road users who have criticised the “unclear” road layout.

But while the council had planned to update the signage and road markings to increase the clarity of the layout configuration, the start date for this project has now been pushed back to August 14.

The council say this delay has been caused by the inclusion of additional works to crossing points, which will require further traffic management measures.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The roundabout at the A350

Cllr Caroline Thomas, the cabinet member for transport, said: “Following a decision to also include additional works needed to crossing points in Malmesbury Road, and the required changes to traffic management proposals to allow these to happen, the original programme start date was pushed back.

“The works to the A350 signing and lining works, including the additional crossing point works, are now scheduled in for the week commencing August 14. We anticipate that these works will take around three weeks to complete.”

Temporary signage currently in place at the roundabout will be replaced over the three-week project, while new carriageway word marking will also be added.

The map-type advance direction signs at all approaches will also undergo an overhaul to reflect the new road layout.

These plans have previously been welcomed by town councillor Kathryn Macdermid who claims residents have had issues with the junction since the Birds Marsh View development sparked alterations.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: A previous incident at the roundaboutA previous incident at the roundabout (Image: Ian Fewtrell)

She said: “There has been quite a few incidents there now and there needs to be some management to make it safe for residents and stop the incidents that have been happening.

“It hasn’t stopped since the link road opened in October, 2022, and I know a family friend who had an accident on that road.

“She lives in Birds Marsh, and she doesn’t want to use the roundabout anymore because she’s terrified it will happen again.”

In June Ian Beautement, the owner of local vehicle recovery firm Tracker’s Transport, revealed he had noticed an increase in accidents over recent months.

“We’re definitely seeing quite a few accidents there and it’s absolutely become a bit of a hotspot”, he added.

“The signs aren’t the best and the road markings could be a lot clearer.”