Work has begun on the new £15 million by-pass which promises to solve north Swindon's congestion problems.

The new four-kilometre Northern Orbital will stretch from the A419 at Blunsdon to West Swindon, serving the new northern development.

It is part of the borough's local transport plan, which aims to solve the town's traffic congestion by revamping Swindon's road infrastructure.

At the moment anyone entering Swindon from the north along Cricklade Road has to deal with constant jams, but the new route will take traffic away from residential areas like Pinehurst, Penhill and Upper Stratton. The road will mean that drivers will now have a direct link from North Swindon to junction 16 of the M4.

The work kick-starts the final phase of the Northern Development Area called Haydon Sector Three, which includes a 360,000 square foot district centre being built by Asda-Walmart, four primary schools, a secondary school and a village centre.

Work on the road is due to be completed by the middle of next year.

David Thompson, of the North Swindon Development Company (NSDC), which is overseeing the project, said: "The completion of the new road sparks off the next phase in the development of Haydon. By providing early and much-needed infrastructure, we will be supporting a first-class environment for those who will eventually live and work on the development.

"There will also be benefits to existing residents in relieving traffic on local roads."

Councillor Philip Steele (Lab, St Philip), of Okus Grove, said: "This area is very busy at peak times, and at times it is impossible to move. But the amount of traffic is non-stop all day.''

The contract for the construction of the road has been awarded by NSDC to Edmund Nuttall Limited.

Work includes footpaths, cycleways, all services and drainage, and bridges over Haydon Wick stream.

Key features of the new road will include traffic light controlled junctions with bus priority and pedestrian-cycle crossing points, and major landscaping work.

The North Swindon Development Company is made up of different companies like Crest Nicholson plc, Bryant Homes, South West Limited, George Wimpey Strategic Land Management, Westbury Homes, and Asda.

Swindon Council's director of transport Ioan Rees said: "This road has been planned for about 10 years and was always part of the Haydon development plans.

"It does have benefits for the rest of the town as it will act as a relief road for all of the North Swindon traffic.

"There should not be any disruption while the work is being carried out as the site is quite contained."