THIS artists impression shows what Worcester’s A4440 Ketch island will look like once an £8 million revamp is complete.

A series of major public exhibitions are about to kick off giving people chance to view the designs and have their say this month.

The controversial revamp, due to start by April, will see the roundabout off the A38 Bath Road double in size.

A new slip-road will also be created for drivers turning left to head up the A4440 Southern Link Road towards Norton island, as part of plans to part-dual the route by 2018.

The project, costing £38 million in total, comes after years of gripes about the notoriously congested road.

The Ketch island work, which will take a year to complete, will go on display at three locations in the area.

It will kick off at St Peter’s Village Hall, in St Peter’s Drive on Tuesday, January 14 from 4pm-7pm, then head to St Peter’s Garden Centre in Norton Road the next day at the same time.

It will finish at St Peter’s Baptist Church, in Eden Close on Thursday, January 16, also from 4pm-7pm.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, the 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.”

As your Worcester News reported earlier today, some politicians have already hit out at plans to remove a grassy bank by Begonia Close to create the slip-road.

The county council is considering creating an acoustic fence to ease noise congestion from the extra lane, and plant flowers.

There is also concern that the entire project proposes to leave the Carrington Bridge section of the link road as it is, because of the costs.

The council’s Conservative leadership says the ultimate plan is to eventually dual the whole route, but not until after 2018 subject to securing extra money.