PLANS TO build a £10.5 million overpass at the A419 Commonhead junction have been backed by Swindon Council road experts.

The Highways Agency has put forward three options. The cheapest is a £5 million 'throughabout' which would allow traffic to travel straight through the existing roundabout controlled by traffic signals. The overpass would be like a traditional flyover but would be built on earth embankments to soften the visual impact.

The third scheme is for an underpass going below the roundabout which would cost £16.5 million and water would need to be permanently pumped out as it would go below the water table. Councillors at last night's Transport Environ-ment and Neighbourhood Services Commission gave the overpass option their support.