A new £30 million road which runs under the M4 could open as soon as next month. The Southern Access Road, which connects Junction 16 of the M4 with the Wichelstowe estate in Wiltshire, was completed in 2023 but has remained closed due to delays in connecting it to the existing road network, says the BBC.

A spokesperson from Swindon Borough Council said the “final road checks” were being carried out and it was hoped the “road will be opened by the end of next month”.

The road, which joins Hay Lane and Wharf Road at a specially-built roundabout and passes beneath the M4 east of Junction 16, was created with £22.9 million of funding from the Department of Transport and £5.8m from Swindon Borough Council.

The council’s website adds: “The main purpose of the road is to provide access to Wichelstowe. It is not a relief road and should not attract large amounts of through traffic.”

Plans for the Southern Access Road first went on display in 2019, with the council completing their work on the underpass in 2023.

The final connection into Wichelstowe via Scott Way was the responsibility of the developers Wichelstowe LLP, who have been building the connecting road in phases alongside new housing

(Picture: Bagwold)