HIGHWAYS chiefs are urging road users to have their say before work starts on improvements at the notorious A38 junction at Falfield.

A new signal-controlled junction could be up and running at the accident blackspot by next spring.

Council chiefs are moving forward with the traffic lights scheme at a cost of up to £170,000, despite calls for a more expensive roundabout junction.

As part of a major public consultation exercise, large yellow signs have been erected on approaches to the junction encouraging drivers to express their own views to the council.

South Gloucestershire Council spokeswoman Kate Champion said: "The proposals include traffic light controls at the junction and widening of the B4059 approach to provide separate left and right turn lanes to allow larger volumes of traffic to pass through the junction.

"The scheme is programmed for implementation during the 2007/8 financial year, subject to consultation."

The existing "non-standard priority" T junction has long posed problems, causing difficulties for drivers emerging from the B4509 onto the A38, particularly when turning right towards Gloucester, and also for those turning right off the A38 towards the motorway.

Concerns have been raised that the "unorthodox" arrangement impacts on road safety.

In the three years up to June this year there were six personal injury accidents at the location, five of them involving vehicles turning right out of the side road.

Highway engineers say traffic lights, using the latest computerised control systems, will remove dangers and boost traffic capacity, possibly by as much as 20 per cent.

They say the lights will be responsive to significant changes in traffic flow patterns, such as those caused when traffic is diverted off the motorway.

Falfield parish councillors have already backed the scheme.

Chairman Mike Pirie said that despite initial reservations he had been persuaded the proposals could be made to work effectively.

"This has been going on for long enough and now we just want them to get on with it.

"I have been living within yards of the junction since before the motorway was built so I know how unsatisfactory it is."

Public consultation on the junction scheme is currently underway and residents are invited to express their views by Monday, December 31, online at www.southglos.gov.uk/consultation or by calling 01454 868685.