IMPROVEMENTS to cut traffic jams and vehicles backing up onto the M5 at Taunton have been approved this afternoon (Thursday).

The roundabout at Junction 25 will be enlarged and widened with an additional lane.

And Toneway will be widened for 200 metres from the roundabout towards the county town.

Other measures include a 300-metre dual carriageway linking the roundabout towards Taunton; a roundabout to a new bridge over Blackbrook; a roundabout on the south western side of Gateway Park and Ride; reconfiguring exit routes from the park and ride; and reconfiguring the Ruishton Lane/A358 junction and constructing a A358 westbound link to the new roundabout.

The £18 million scheme will go out to tender this summer and construction should start by the end of this year or early next year, with completion due by late 2020 or early 2021.