PLANS to install £1 million traffic lights at the Farmers Roundabout in Melksham, once labelled madness by a Wiltshire Councillor, have been delayed until next year.

The lights, reported back in December, were proposed to ease traffic congestion at the junction but according to cabinet member Philip Whitehead they have been put back in the schedule until beyond April next year.

Councillor Terry Chivers previously called the plans madness and said the lights would if anything create more traffic build up at an already busy junction.

Cabinet member for highways and transport, Whitehead, said: “We have only delayed the plans due to a full schedule for this year and is nothing out of the ordinary.

“It is just that this year we have so much on already so we have had to bench a few things and move them into next year.

“The lights have been programmed for next year and it will go out for consultation and through the council at some stage as normal.

“We have had problems at the roundabout for years and this is a way to improve it. I use to commute to Bristol and that was where I always got caught up.”

In July last year £3.4 million improvements started on the A350 at Chippenham and will see it converted to a dual carriageway in both directions between the Bumpers Farm Roundabout and the Brook Roundabout at the junction with Stainers Way at Cepen Park North.

“It is all part of improving the A350. There are currently lots of works around Chippenham to make the flow of traffic better,” added Cllr Whitehead.

“We are looking at all the difficult spots along the A350 and dealing with them in time moving further down as we go.”

Cllr Chivers said: “This whole scheme seems total madness. To spend so much money on a scheme that may have little local public support or that of town and parish councils.

“Nearly on a weekly basis as a local councillor, I receive complaints about the lights already on this part of the A350, holding up traffic.

“I may be wrong but I think there will be little support for this scheme and I do not think that spending a million pound is going to sort the out the problem there.”