Road safety improvements could be made to an accident black spot on the A4 between Chippenham and Calne.

Plans have been approved to alter the Studley crossroads junction under a redevelopment scheme at Blount Court Nurseries.

Last week North Wiltshire District Council granted an application to refurbish the garden centre including the development of two new buildings and additional parking.

Under the proposals, businessman Neil Cowley has offered to pay for highway improvements, which he hopes will encourage more people to visit the nursery.

Alterations approved by the council include staggering the junction and creating right-hand turning lanes as well as introducing two pedestrian refuges and moving the bus stop.

Lord Lansdowne, who owns the land at the nursery, said the road improvements were greatly needed and would cut down the number of accidents at the junction.

"It will make a dangerous road much safer," he said.

Lord Lansdowne has been attempting to get improvements at the crossroads for more than five years and estimates that the latest plans will cost £200,000 to implement.

"The estate is delighted that this has been approved. The next challenge is to ensure it is carried out for the benefit of the safety of cars on the road and to improve access to the proposed garden centre," said Lord Lansdowne.

In October 2003 the Gazette launched a campaign to get road safety improvements on the A4 between Chippenham and Calne and gathered a petition of 3,000 signatures.