Wiltshire Council is set to begin a significant programme of improvements to the Longfield Gyratory in Trowbridge, with the work set to start next month.

The project aims to increase capacity on the gyratory to improve journey times for motorists, while also upgrading crossing points to improve safety for pedestrians and support the development of the new Trowbridge leisure centre, which is currently under construction.

The work will be completed in five phases to minimise disruption to both motorists and local residents, starting in the County Way area, and working round the gyratory clockwise.

A key part of the project involves the complete modernisation of the traffic signals. The existing setup, which consists of several standalone signal crossings that are manually linked through phase timings, will be replaced with a more efficient system using just two advanced signal controllers. This upgrade will improve the coordination between signals and help pedestrians to cross safely, while also improving traffic flow around the gyratory.

To further enhance traffic movement, the carriageway will be widened at various points to allow for better lane allocation, improve clarity and lane discipline, and ensure that larger vehicles can manoeuvre without straddling lanes, thereby maintaining capacity. The project also includes the refurbishment of the traffic signals at Tesco on County Way, which will be integrated into the new system to improve connectivity across the area.

As part of the plans for the new leisure centre, which is currently under construction on the East Wing site at County Hall, a signal-controlled junction will be built to manage access in and out of the site. This junction will include pedestrian and cyclist crossings and additional lanes will also be created between the leisure centre access and the gyratory to increase capacity for more vehicles and minimise any potential impact on traffic flows.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “These essential upgrades will not only support the new leisure centre but also deliver long-term benefits for all road users in Trowbridge.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these works, but we have carefully planned the work in phases to minimise disruption as much as we can.

“All of these improvements have been modelled using projected traffic growth data for 2041, ensuring that the gyratory is future-proofed and capable of meeting the long-term needs of the community.

“We’re committed to making our roads safer, more efficient, and more accessible for everyone, and these improvements will do just that.”

The work will begin in July, with preliminary work taking place to strengthen Cradle Bridge and make it safer for pedestrians, followed by a refurbishment of the traffic signals at Tesco. The full schedule of improvement works is as follows:

• Phase 1 will begin on 21 July and run until 17 October. This phase will cover works on County Way and Brown Street.
• Phase 2 is scheduled to start in October and finish in November. This phase will focus on Castle Street.
• Phase 3 will take place from November to December. The work during this phase will be carried out from County Gate to the Lamb.
• Phase 4 will commence in January 2026 and conclude in February 2026. This phase includes Mortimer Street, County Hall, and the south side of the new leisure centre.
• Phase 5 is set to begin in February 2026 and end in April 2026. It will cover the East Wing opposite County Hall and the north side of the new leisure centre.

To find out more about the project, people should go to Longfield Gyratory, Trowbridge – Wiltshire Council.