‘Terrifying’ A350 roundabout linking M4 to town set for changes

Malmesbury Roundabout, where the A350 West Cepen Way meets Malmesbury Road between Chippenham and the M4, has become a controversial junction with many blaming the “unclear” road layout for regular crashes.

Ian Beautement, the owner of a local vehicle recovery firm, previously claimed the roundabout has become an “accident hotspot” since the Birds Marsh View development led to alterations to the layout.

Now Wiltshire Council have confirmed they will be making multiple changes to the signage and road markings at the roundabout.

This will include replacing the current temporary signs, adding lane directions to the road markings, and updating all other signs to display the new layout.

The announcement was welcomed by Chippenham town councillor Kathryn Macdermid, who has been in contact with the council over transforming aspects of the roundabout.

She said: “There has been quite a few incidents there now and there needs to be some management to make it safe for residents and stop the incidents that have been happening.

“It hasn’t stopped since the link road opened in October, 2022, and I know a family friend who had an accident on that road.

“She lives in Birds Marsh, and she doesn’t want to use the roundabout anymore because she’s terrified it will happen again.”

In the long term, Cllr Macdermid has called for a pedestrianised crossing from the link road to Morrisons, and traffic lights on the roundabout, to increase safety and prevent people being “rushed onto the road.”

Work on the Malmesbury Roundabout is expected to begin next month, although the council warned this may be subject to change.

Cabinet member for transport Cllr Caroline Thomas said: “We are going to replace the temporary lane direction signage, currently in place on the A350 West Cepen Way approach to the roundabout, with new permanent lane direction signs and new carriageway word markings providing the same lane destination information.

“We will also be replacing all the other map-type advance direction signs on all approaches to the roundabout at the same time to show the new junction layout configuration.

“The current programme estimate for site works to start in mid-July, but the actual timing of this will be governed in part by when it is possible to accommodate this around other planned maintenance works to ensure all the work is carried out safely whilst minimising delays to drivers.”