No significant progress has been made on a major roadworks project plagued by delays, Wiltshire Council has confirmed.

Construction had been due to begin on the A350 dualling works at Chippenham in spring 2024.

The £20.7 million project will dual the remaining sections of the major route past Chippenham, between Chequers and Lackham Roundabouts, and Bumpers Farm and Cepen Park South Roundabouts.

It will also include upgrades to Bumpers Farm Roundabout, including additional lanes, traffic signals and crossings, and capacity enhancements at Lackham Roundabout.

The contract for the project was awarded to MJ Church and preliminary works started in January of this year.

But the council is still awaiting approval of its Full Business Case by the Department for Transport (DfT) before it can begin the main construction phase.

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Preliminary works on the A350Preliminary works on the A350 (Image: Trevor Porter) This part of the scheme had been expected to start in spring 2024, allowing the project to be completed by Autumn 2025, but multiple delays have hampered the council’s progress.

These delays have been worsened by the general election, says Wiltshire Council.

In July, the council said it was still waiting for approval from the DfT before it could progress the project any further.

On Tuesday, October 22, it confirmed there had not been any update on this position.

Cllr Nick Holder, cabinet member for highways, said: “Preliminary works have already taken place on the A350 dualling works at Chippenham.

“The main construction was previously expected to begin in spring 2024 and end in autumn 2025, however this was subject to the approval of the Full Business Case by the DfT.

“The decision has been delayed by the General Election and implementation of the new government, however we remain committed to the scheme and are in contact with DfT on its plan for the next steps.”

The initial works carried out on the major A-road, between January and March, included vegetation clearance ahead of construction starting.

Temporary traffic orders are in place that will allow the council to introduce 40mph speed limits on the A350 as and when required during this work.

While residents have voiced concerns about the impact of a lengthy roadworks project on a busy road, the council insists it will reduce long term congestion for drivers.

Cllr Holder previously added: “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.”