THIS picture shows how £8million will be spent on upgrading one of the most congested roundabouts in Worcester.
The artist’s impression of a new-look Ketch island will be on display at two exhibitions in St Peter’s this week where people will get the chance to have their say on the revamp.
The controversial scheme, which set to begin in the Spring, will see the roundabout off the A38 double in size and Worcester’s Southern Link road part-dualled in a bid to ease congestion.
It is part of Worcestershire County Council’s £38million project which will eventually see the entire A4440 route to the Whittington roundabout dualled in the next five years.
Three exhibitions will be held next week so the public can have a look at the plans in detail and give their thoughts.
The first takes place on Tuesday (January 14) at St Peter’s Community Hall, then at St Peter’s Garden Centre on Wednesday (January 15) and finally at St Peter’s Baptist Church on Thursday (January 16). All three will run from 4pm until 7pm.
As we reported in September last year, the project had received criticism from residents who are worried the work will take the road too close to surrounding homes, but councillors fear if nothing is done travel times could increase by up to 40 per cent by 2026.
Coun Adrian Hardman, leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “More than 30,000 vehicles use the A4440 Southern Link Road each weekday.
“Sitting back and doing nothing on this important key route isn’t an option because delays will get worse and congestion will increase impacting on our economy, costing residents and businesses time and money stuck in queues.
We have a clear vision and this is the first phase of plans we have that will see the dualling of the entire length of the key route up to Whittington roundabout.
“I’d encourage anyone interested in finding out more about this work to come along to view the plans and speak with officers who will be on hand to answer any questions.”
