WORK on new access roads for homes on the A419 dual carriageway is set to start on June 9.

The Calcutt Access Road scheme aims to improve safety for residents and road users.

The construction of two indirect access roads on both sides of the A419 is estimated to cost about £2 million.

There are around nine properties to the west and east of the dual carriageway that have drives linking them directly to the busy road.

The scheme means the roads will allow access to the rear of the affected homes and farms instead of drivers having to turn off the A419.

Farmer George Pothecary, 47, of Calcutt Court Farm, has been campaigning for a safer route into his property and crash barriers since 1986. He said: "I am absolutely over the moon we are getting these access roads.

"It is very dangerous trying to turn off from the A419 and I have to do it virtually every day. I have had lots of near misses.

"You either have to turn off very quickly or be really aware of how far the vehicle is behind you."

Direct access to properties will be closed off from the dual carriageway

Steve Self, a spokesman for the Highways Agency, said: "This section of the A419 has been the site of several accidents over the years. The aim of the scheme is to improve safety by removing the current access to and from the roadside and replacing it with new indirect access via the B4040 and new roads to the rear of the properties."

In 2001, after a series of fatal accidents, Wiltshire Coroner David Masters invoked a rarely used procedure to alert the Government to dangers faced by people walking along the verges by the sides of the carriageways.

Since then, the Highways Agency produced a safety plan including improving pedestrian facilities and access to homes on the road.

The Calcutt scheme is one of a series of improvements for the A419 along with a flyover at the Commonhead roundabout, a new bypass at Blunsdon and resurfacing work near Latton to make it quieter.