A major scheme to upgrade a roundabout connecting some of Trowbridge's busiest roads including safety improvements and better traffic flow is to get underway next month.
Wiltshire Council has announced works will begin as part of an extensive and multi-phase roadworks improvement programme on the Longfield Gyratory, a meeting point for roads such as County Way and Castle Street.
The works are expected to begin on Monday, July 21 and won't conclude until April next year.
According to the council, the project aims to increase capacity on the gyratory to improve journey times for motorists, while also upgrading crossing points to improve safety for pedestrians and support the development of the new Trowbridge leisure centre, which is currently under construction.
The carriageway will be widened at various points to allow for better lane allocation, improve clarity and lane discipline, and ensure that larger vehicles can manoeuvre without straddling lanes, thereby maintaining capacity.
The council say the upgrade will also improve the coordination between signals and help pedestrians to cross safely, while also improving traffic flow around the gyratory.
Cllr Martin Smith, cabinet member for Transport, said: “These essential upgrades will not only support the new leisure centre but also deliver long-term benefits for all road users in Trowbridge.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, but we have carefully planned the work in phases to minimise disruption as much as we can.
“All of these improvements have been modelled using projected traffic growth data for 2041, ensuring that the gyratory is future-proofed and capable of meeting the long-term needs of the community.
“We’re committed to making our roads safer, more efficient, and more accessible for everyone, and these improvements will do just that.”
The council has said works will also include a “complete modernisation” of the traffic signals.
The existing setup, which consists of several standalone signal crossings that are manually linked through phase timings, will be replaced with a system using two advanced signal controllers.
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The project also includes the refurbishment of the traffic signals at Tesco on County Way, which will be integrated into the new system to improve connectivity across the area.
As part of the plans for the new leisure centre, which is currently under construction on the East Wing site at County Hall, a signal-controlled junction will be built to manage access in and out of the site.
This junction will include pedestrian and cyclist crossings and additional lanes will also be created between the leisure centre access and the gyratory to increase capacity for more vehicles and minimise any potential impact on traffic flows.
In July preliminary work will begin to strengthen Cradle Bridge and make it safer for pedestrians, followed by a refurbishment of the traffic signals at Tesco.
The work will be completed in five phases of varying lengths, starting in the County Way area, and working round the gyratory clockwise.
The full schedule of improvement works is as follows:
- Phase 1 will begin on 21 July and run until 17 October. This phase will cover works on County Way and Brown Street.
- Phase 2 is scheduled to start in October and finish in November. This phase will focus on Castle Street.
- Phase 3 will take place from November to December. The work during this phase will be carried out from County Gate to the Lamb.
- Phase 4 will commence in January 2026 and conclude in February 2026. This phase includes Mortimer Street, County Hall, and the south side of the new leisure centre.
- Phase 5 is set to begin in February 2026 and end in April 2026. It will cover the East Wing opposite County Hall and the north side of the new leisure centre.
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