Work to convert the Wraxall Road roundabout into South Gloucestershire’s first through-about (a roundabout with lanes of traffic through the middle), is set to move into the next phase this month.
The £6.9 million project has been funded by the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise partnership. The improvements will reduce traffic congestion and increase capacity at the busy junction on the A4174 Avon Ring Road.
Work so far has included the construction of the new carriageway through the existing roundabout, the removal of the existing central reservations and the construction of the new road layout on some of the approaches to the roundabout.
Construction for the next phase is due to start the week commencing Monday 18 January and will focus on the side approach roads of Wraxall Road and Tower Lane.
Work will involve the removal of vegetation and the existing kerbs, the installation of new surface water drainage systems, the widening of the road and the installation of traffic signal infrastructure. Landscaping plans are also being developed for when construction work is complete.
South Gloucestershire Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Environment and Strategic Infrastructure, Cllr Steve Reade said: “Our investment in the Wraxall Road roundabout proves our commitment to future proof our road network for the benefit of our local communities and the many people who use this junction on a daily basis.
“The changes taking place will tackle congestion and help to prepare the area for increases in traffic brought about by housing and commercial development. It is good to see progress being made on such an important scheme which will also include improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure. I would like to thank people for their continued patience while the work is carried out.”
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “Congestion on our roads holds back our economy and reduces air quality. So that we can secure our recovery from the pandemic, I’m making investments in our transport network like this one at Wraxall Road which will cut congestion and improve cycling and walking links so we can get our region moving. One of the benefits of having a Combined Authority is that we can make strategic investments like this so that the infrastructure is already in place to accommodate our future growth.”
The 42 bus service will be diverted as a result of the closures. From Cock Road it will go via Grimsbury Road, A420, Tower Road North, Tower Lane and Craven Way, where it will resume its usual route to Cadbury Heath and Cherry Gardens.
Traffic management
To enable this next phase of work it will be necessary to close both Tower Lane and Wraxall Road to all traffic in both directions at the roundabout. These closures will be in place from Monday 18 January 2021 for approximately eight weeks. This will mean that traffic will not be able to access or exit the Wraxall Road roundabout from either road. The roundabout will become a straight through road only.
From Monday 15 March 2021, Tower Lane northbound only (towards the roundabout) will need to remain closed for approximately eight weeks to enable further work along this stretch of road. It is hoped this work will be completed by the beginning of May.
The road closures will need to remain in place 24 hours a day for safety reasons.
These dates may be subject to change and we will continue to keep the community up to date.
Signed diversion routes will be in operation via Grimsbury Road to the north and Tower Road North to the south.
We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused and our teams are working hard to minimise any disruption.
Further information can be found on our website www.southglos.gov.uk/majorroadworks
