Preliminary work required for a major upgrade to the Fords Foundry and Queensway roundabouts will begin in the coming weeks, the county council has announced.

Work will also be carried out on the section of Europa Way linking the tow, ahead of the full construction next summer.

The major scheme will eventually see Europa Way become dual carriageway between the M40 and Shires Retail Park.

Cycling and walking routes will also be improved, and junctions along the corridor will also be improved.

Preliminary works will include ground investigation on the embankment next to McDonalds and exploratory works to identify utilities along the western side of Europa Way.

These will both require some vegetation to be cleared with "minimal disruption to traffic".

The footway/cycleway which runs parallel to Mcdonalds will be closed for five days from 5 December.

Warwickshire County Council says the major project will help reduce congestion in the area.

It says 4,500 new homes will be built in the area by 2029, as well as a further 3,000 in Stratford district.

Cllr Wallace Redford, portfolio holder for transport and highways says: "We are delighted the green light has been given for preparatory work to start on this major improvement project to the A452 Europa Way corridor - a key route between the M40, Leamington Spa and Warwick.

"Without these improvements the situation will only worsen as new job creation and house building in the area will put even more pressure on the travel network.  

"Once completed the project is expected to produce a range of benefits alongside reduced congestion, including improved journey times; increased business and retail activity in the area through improved links to Warwick and Leamington town centres; as well as improved, or maintained air quality resulting from reduced congestion and increased cycling and walking."