Conservative run Taunton Deane Council is celebrating the announcement that the Government is to invest in vital improvements to the A358 between Taunton and the A303. The improvement is part of £2 billion of investment in roads in the South West. The Conservative run Council has worked hard campaigning for the investment, which will not only open up key employment sites, but also improve life for communities who have had to endure years of traffic jams and air pollution.

Conservative Cllr John Williams, Leader of the Borough Council said, “I am delighted the Government has at last helped us to find a solution to this long outstanding problem that has so long held back our economy. Our community has suffered excessive congestion and air pollution for far too long”.

“Through great partnership working with Somerset County Council, the Local Economic Partnership, Highways Agency, Environment Agency and the private sector we hope the vital road improvements to the A358, J25 and Tone Way which will also allow delivery of a major strategic employment site with up to 4,000 jobs being created and an enormous boost to our economy.”

Conservative Deputy Leader Cllr Mark Edwards said, “We all know what a great place Taunton is, but we also know that we need the right kind of employment space with good connections to the major road network to achieve our growth ambitions. We are committed to responding to the identified demand for a high quality employment site and to help create the opportunities for more high quality jobs in Taunton.”

The A358 improvement will help unlock access to the key employment site near J25 off the M5.

Details on the project were announced by Conservative Cllr Williams in October at an event supported by partners including Somerset County Council and the Heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Our plans will transform some of the country’s most important strategic routes. Having recently visited Wincanton, I am certain our ambitious project to create a tunnel on the A303 and dual the road all the way to Taunton via the A358, as well as our plans for dualling along the A30 in Cornwall, will boost productivity and help the local economy of the south west.”

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