WORK on a £325 million scheme to improve traffic on a Somerset route has been put on ice while a government review of major transport projects is carried out.

A scheme to dual the busy A358 between the Southfields Roundabout, near Ilminster, and junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton, is understood to be among the projects being looked at as part of a national review.

The review, set to conclude by October, comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a number of projects – including plans for a tunnel on the A303 near Stonehenge – had been scrapped due to funding shortfalls.

On the A358, previously published plans showed the creation of a new dual carriageway on the stretch, which has been plagued by traffic and crashes.

Now, National Highways says the project cannot be confirmed until the review is completed.

“The preferred route protection remains in place while the future of the scheme is being considered by government as part of a wider review,” a spokesperson said in a statement, first reported by the BBC.

“We are therefore unable to confirm the future of the scheme until this process has concluded.”

Ms Reeves is expected to deliver her first Budget since Labour came to power on October 30, when more details may emerge.