Work is set to start on a £4million overhaul of a busy roundabout on a key arterial route in to Gloucester.

Gloucestershire County Council have revealed that work on the A38 and B4008 Cross Keys roundabout that links the south of the city with the M5 Motorway is about to get underway.

The work will see the size of the roundabout reduced, with routes into it widened to increase capacity, especially on the way into Gloucester from the M5.

Work will start on Monday, May 13 with Welsh civil engineering company Alun Griffiths (constructers) Ltd - who are part of the Tarmac group - chosen by the council to carry out the wor,

According to the council, work will start in Spring 2019 and be completed by Autumn 2019. The council envisage that the work will cost £3.85 million.

Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member for environment and planning said, "The Cross Keys roundabout is a crucial gateway to the city of Gloucester, it is one of our busiest junctions, and in need of improvement. 

"Thanks to funding from the Department of Transport we are able to make progress on keeping this part of the county moving."

Cllr Stephen Davies, local member for Stroud: Hardwicke and Severn, said, "I'm sure everyone who has used this roundabout during rush hour will agree something needs to be done to reduce congestion here. 

"I'm pleased the improvements will upgrade the footpaths and cycle paths around the junction too."

The area around junction 12 has been transformed in the past 20 years with new business and housing developments between the city and the motorway.

In information released on the county council's website, the Cross Keys Roundabout is called a "strategically important part of the road network in Gloucestershire."

It added: The junction suffers from significant congestion during peak periods, and is contributing towards congestion at the nearby motorway junction with traffic resultingly queuing on the hard shoulder.

"Capacity at the junction will be further stretched by future development in the area, including housing at Hunts Grove."

The Hunts Grove estate of 2,500 new homes is the largest housing allocation within Stroud District - the local authority in which the roundabout sits.

Plans are also lodged for further housing and employment land south of Gloucester and according to the county council, the junction is a "significant constraint" to that being delivered.

Under the plans the approach to Gloucester from the M5 and Stonehouse would be widened to three lanes, while a wider footway would also be installed for cyclists and pedestrians.

From the north, the existing approach would be retained, although the exit road will be widened to include another exit lane in order to improve traffic flow to and from the roundabout.

According to the council the work will "increase junction capacity and reduce the queue length on approach arms, and specifically reduce any impact on M5 Junction 12."

Crews will be working outside of peak travel times to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and commuters. 

Off peak working hours are Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 3.30pm, along with evening and overnight working patterns as needed.

Consultations on the scheme will be held this week, Wednesday, May 1 at Hardwicke Village Hall and at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre on Thursday, May 2, between 3 and 7pm on both days.