PLANS to radically alter one of Gwent's busiest road intersections could be unveiled to the public this autumn.

The Tredegar Park interchange - where Junction 28 of the M4 meets the A48 and the A467 - is the subject of a £10 million revamp proposal being drawn up in a collaboration between Newport council, the National Assembly and highways experts Gwent Consultancy.

The area has been the scene of a number of accidents, especially in the rush hour.

The proposal - which has been the subject of discussion for some time - has already been highlighted as a priority by Sue Essex, Assembly minister for the environment, planning and transport, in her five-year transport plan.

But despite the priority status, no money has yet been set aside for the scheme.

Now highway and council bosses involved with the project hope that will change when the next budget round begins in November.

An announcement on whether the £10 million needed to fund the scheme will be made available could be made in January next year.

Brian Kemp, head of engineering at Newport council, told the Argus: "The start date is expected to be during 2004-2005. In the meantime we are working up designs and getting ready to go in autumn 2004.

"We have a general layout we're discussing with the National Assembly, and once we have them on board it will be worked up in to a detailed design."

The Argus understands the fundamental idea behind the revamp is to scrap the existing roundabout structure and replace it with a traffic-light-controlled system.

Whatever detailed plans are drawn up will be the subject of a public consultation, which could take place this autumn.

Mr Kemp said that exhibitions explaining the proposals would be held at local population centres and a presentation would be made to members of the council, possibly as soon as the end of September.

A spokesman for the Assembly said: "This is a proposal which was part of the five-year plan for transport. The Assembly budget has only been set for the first three years of that programme at the moment. Spending for 2004 will be discussed in the next budget round."