New bypass lane opens to traffic

Work on the A419 Blunsdon bypass in Wiltshire is near completion with the opening of the southbound carriageway.

The £65m project, which began two years ago, was designed to get trunk road traffic away from the village.

The northbound section was opened in June. The old road in Blunsdon will continue be used for local traffic.

Although both carriageways will be open, work on the road will continue for a few months and a 40 mph speed limit will remain in place.

Highways Agency project manager Khalid Pervez said: "Although traffic can now use the new stretch of road in both directions, work is still a few months away from completion and road users are reminded to keep to speed limits.

"During the preparation and in the first few days after the switch-over, road users should take extra care until they are familiar with the new road layout."