THE A419-A417 dual carriageway could be the most expensive stretch of road per mile in the country, according to a local pressure group.

Transport 2000 claims the 33 miles of road between the M4 at Swindon and the M5 at Gloucester have been constantly subjected to projects that have cost millions but not worked.

Christine Shine, Transport 2000's regional co-ordinator, has spoken out after yet more alter-ations to the road were proposed in a new report commissioned by the Government.

The report unveiled last week by Wroughton contractors Halcrow proposed dozens of major changes to the entire transport infra-structure in the South West.

It included a suggestion to widen the A419 to three lanes between the Commonhead roundabout in Swindon and junction 15 of the M4.

That is in addition to several other projects that have taken place in the last five years or are pending, including the recently approved Blunsdon bypass, which is ex-pected to cost £20 million.

Other schemes are:

The privately funded Latton to Brimpsfield roundabout which Transport 2000 says could cost up to £270 million to lease over 30 years

Constructing the Brockworth bypass and junction 11a to connect the A417 to M5

A proposal for a tunnel from Brimpsfield to Brockworth, which is yet to be rubber-stamped, but could cost up to £175 million.

The Highways Agency also recently published a route management strategy for the A419-A417, proposing further improve-ments to take place over the next 10 years.

They include safety improve-ments to the Castle Eaton junction and to the footways on the A419 near Cricklade and lengthening the slip road at the petrol station at Calcutt.

Ms Shine argued that congestion is increasing and safety is still an issue on many parts of the road.

She said: "The A419/A417 has to be the worst and most expensive road in the UK.

"Completely contrary to the Government's ten-year plan to reduce traffic growth and increase passenger and freight rail use, the A419/417 has an average traffic growth of 80 per cent since 1997."

Highways Agency spokesman Robert Gage said: "We always seek to achieve best value for money in investing in our road network.

"We have a responsibility to maintain the road network if we did nothing, there would be real problems."