SPEEDING restrictions have been put in place on the A419 near Siddington, Cirencester as work begins on a new care home in the town.

Building work has started at Siddington Park Farm, based just across from the Preston toll bar, and new speed limits have been put in place for a short stretch of the A419 by Dobbies Garden Centre.

While drivers used to be able to travel at 60mph all the way along the A419, they are now being told to slow down to 30mph as they come past Dobbies Garden Centres towards Cirencester, only being allowed to speed up again when they reach the roundabout.

The development will consist of a care retirement community, and is believed to cost around £26 million to build. It will also provide 115 jobs.

Cotswold District Council planning committee approved the development in June 2012 but work is now fully underway.

The retirement complex will feature a core building of 36 intensive care bedrooms, 30 close care units, and 20 assisted living units plus a further 79 assisted living apartments onsite. It will also have a swimming pool at the centre.