TRAFFIC hell in Barnwood could soon be a thing of the past with news of £2.2million for road improvements in the area.
The cash has been hailed as a huge success by the county council, which applied for the 'pinch point' funding to help relieve congestion at the C&G and Walls roundabouts.
It will help ease the pain for workers in the Barnwood Business Park and Sainsbury's shoppers.
Delays of up to an hour have been reported as drivers try to exit the supermarket car park at peak times.
Sharon Roberts, owner of Fitness4Females, a nearby business, said traffic there can be a "nightmare".
"I stupidly went to cash and carry at 4.30pm once and it took me an hour to get home," she said.
"It would have been quicker to walk back to Hucclecote.
"When traffic is so bad, it can put off some of my customers from coming to the gym, particularly if they have a class booked."
A new £3.1million traffic scheme includes changes to the junctions, widening of lanes, new more flexible traffic light systems and extra lanes.
The project will be met with additional funding from Gloucestershire County Council and Sainsbury's.
A detailed schedule of work is yet to be drawn up, but work is expected to start as soon as possible.
County councillor Will Windsor Clive, cabinet member for planning and infrastructure, said: "This is great news, I'm extremely pleased the government agreed with the importance of this scheme and granted us the money. The congestion at the C&G and Walls roundabouts is a real issue for drivers and is having an impact across Gloucester."
Fixed traffic signals will be replaced by a flexible system with more entry lanes from the A417. Removal of existing pedestrian crossing facilities will allow a new crossing phase into the new signals at Walls.
Gloucester MP Richard Graham also welcomed the news.
"When this is completed all will have easier journeys," he said.
"The result shows what Government, MPs and councils can do together.
"Now we must push on and get started as soon as possible."
