THE Government has pledged to spend £32.1 million on a raft of measures to cut congestion on the M5 in the South West.

And it promises that about £12 million of that will be "allocated shortly".

The schemes being funded are.

  • Junction 19 improvements, £2.8 million.
  • Junction 17 to 18 driver information and queue protection scheme, £4.3 million.
  • Junction 24 to 25 driver information and queue protection scheme, £7.1 million.
  • Junction 23 to 24 driver information and queue protection scheme, £5.5 million
  • Small schemes, £12.4 million.

The Government’s proposed £12.6 million improvements to the M5 in Somerset will bring welcome relief for thousands of holiday motorists as well as local people, says MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

Mr Liddell-Grainger, Conservative member for Bridgwater and West Somerset, says he is delighted Ministers have identified one of the West Country’s major congestion spots and are acting to unclog it.

The cash award has been allocated under the Congestion Relief Programme announced by the Chancellor on Wednesday. 

A total of £5.5 million has been earmarked to improve the motorway between junctions 23 and 24 - the interchanges serving Bridgwater - and a further £7.1 million will be spent between junctions 24 and 25.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said there would be huge relief locally that the motorway’s inadequacy had been recognised.

“Thousands of local commuters rely on this route every day and their journey times have slowed steadily as the volume of traffic has increased,” he said.

“But the M5 is also gaining a bit of a reputation for delays among visitors to the South West.

"The fact that traffic levels have risen so much is, of course, a reflection of the fact that the West Country is a fantastic region to visit and a tribute to all those in the tourism and hospitality sectors who ensure it stays that way.

“But unless we make the experience of getting there less of an ordeal the steady growth in visitor numbers we have seen in recent years could well start to be reversed.

“I’m also glad that the government is funding a similar scheme between Junctions 17 and 18 and enhancements to Junction 19, further up the M5, which is another sign of its commitment to improving the road network here in the South West.”

Traffic hotspots across the South West and the rest of  England have been identified by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to receive millions of pounds for junction upgrades, roundabout improvements and better traffic signalling.

The schemes, worth about £110 million nationwide, will cut congestion and journey times for motorists and improve safety. They will be completed by spring 2020.

Transport minister Chris Grayling said: “We are making the most extensive improvements to roads in the last 40 years, investing a record £23 billion to keep our country moving and make journeys faster, better and more reliable for everyone.

“We are also spending a further £1.3 billion over the course of this parliament to relieve congestion and provide important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future.

“These schemes announced today will provide quick relief to millions of drivers and save them from getting stuck in traffic.”

Nick Harris, Highways England operations director, said: “This continued investment in our motorways and major roads is bringing real benefits to communities up and down the country, and we will continue working with our partners to improve journeys for everyone who uses our roads.”