NATIONAL Highways has today (Tuesday, October 12) launched a consultation for the upgrade of the A358 in Somerset.

The planned improvements on the road, a key route linking the South West and London and South East, will see a single lane stretch of carriageway between the M5 at Taunton and the Southfields roundabout extended to dual carriageway.

National Highways says the proposed scheme would considerably benefit road users, local communities and businesses.

The proposed scheme includes:

  • a new two-lane bridge to carry Stoke Road over the A358;
  • a new junction at Mattocks Tree Green;
  • a new bridge at Griffin Lane;
  • a new two-lane bridge to carry Bickenhall Lane over the A358;
  • a new bridge to carry Village Road, Hatch Beauchamp, over the A358;
  • a new junction at Ashill;
  • improvements and connections to roundabouts at Junction 25 of the M5 and Southfields, at Ilminster. 

Katherine Liddington, senior project manager for the A358 scheme, said: “We plan to build approximately 8.5 miles of new dual carriageway, which will considerably improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity for road users and local communities, while unlocking economic growth in Somerset and beyond.

“Since announcing our preferred route for the project in 2019, we have been working to refine the preliminary design for the new road.

"We’ve made some improvements to our proposals, which will improve access safety to local roads and reduce the impact on communities, the environment, and the local landscape.

“As part of the planning process, we would like to hear your thoughts on our proposed design.

"This will help refine our preliminary design before we submit our planning application in 2022.”

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow said: “The A358 upgrade has been a long time coming and a great deal of progress has been made to reach this stage.

“It is as important as ever that the A303/A358 corridor is improved as this is vital to unlocking the region.

"I hope as many people as possible will take part in the consultation.”

Somerset County Gazette:

A358 Taunton to Southfileds proposed route map

In delivering the scheme, National Highways aims to:

  • improve the capacity of the road to reduce delays and queues that occur during peak hours and at key times of the year i.e. the height of summer;
  • support economic growth, facilitating growth in jobs and housing by providing a free-flowing and reliable connection between the South East and the South West;
  • make the road safer by providing additional capacity and reducing driver stress. It will also improve routes for pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders in the area;
  • protect the environment and look for opportunities to improve it, minimising any unnecessary impact of the scheme on the surrounding natural and historic environment and landscape;
  • work with local communities to reduce the impact of the road, and look for ways to improve local people’s quality of life;
  • make journey times more reliable and resilient; by providing more capacity it will become easier to manage traffic when incidents occur.

Paula Hewitt, Somerset County Council’s lead director for economic and community infrastructure, said: “The A358/A303 is an incredibly important main transport artery for Somerset and this major project is vital for future growth in the county.

“We’d encourage everyone to get involved in the consultation and have their say on the scheme – this is your chance to make your voice heard.”

The consultation runs from today to Monday, November 22, with feedback helping National Highways develop its planning application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to be submitted next year.

A DCO is required for all nationally significant infrastructure projects and will allow for the Planning Inspectorate to make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who will decide on whether development consent should be granted for the proposed scheme.

You can find out more about the proposals and have your say on an online exhibition by clicking HERE.

There are dedicated times when you can chat with members of the project team who will be able to answer any questions you may have.

There will also be nine online question and answer events, and three public consultation events in line with government guidance:

  • Taunton Racecourse: Tuesday, October 19, 2pm-8pm;
  • Monks Yard: Saturday, October 23, 11am-6pm;
  • Holiday Inn, Taunton: Wednesday, November 3, 11am-6pm.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can request a free copy of the consultation booklet, feedback questionnaire and non-technical summary of the Preliminary Environmental Information Report by calling 0300 1235000 or e-mailing A358TauntontoSouthfields@highwaysengland.co.uk