THE A358 between Taunton and Ilminster could still see work to help cut traffic and reduce crashes, despite a dualling project being dropped by the government.

Wednesday’s Budget saw confirmation of a decision to axe a £328 million plan to dual the route between junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton, to the Southfields roundabout, at Ilminster.

In response, despite calling the decision “big disappointment” for the county, Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital Cllr Richard Wilkins, said it was “not the end of the road”.

He said the council would lobby hard for Government support and funding to deliver smaller scale improvements on the route.

“This is of course disappointing news for Somerset,” he said. “The A358 is a vital transport artery linking London and the South East to the South West, it is crucial in terms of growing the economy.

“Somerset Council is now very keen to work with National Highways and the Department of Transport and our partners Peninsular Transport to understand what is possible and we will redouble our efforts to secure Government funding to ensure improvements can be made.

“In particular, we want to see what can be done to ease congestion and reduce pollution around the Henlade section of the A358.

“This is the end of one chapter but it is absolutely not the end of the road when it comes to improving this crucial transport link.”

READ MORE: A358 dualling plan scrapped in Budget

Peninsula Transport represents the five lead transport authorities in the South West.

Programme director, Hannah Shrimpton, said the scrapping of the scheme – as well as a billion-pound tunnel project on the A303 at Stonehenge – was a blow to “connectivity” in the region.

“Peninsula Transport is disappointed to see works on the A358 cancelled, along with the earlier withdrawal of the A303 Stonehenge scheme, given the importance of the A303/A30/A358 corridor in terms of connectivity for our area,” Hannah said.

“We remain firmly of the view that investment into much-needed road improvements to the A303 corridor including the works at Stonehenge and the A358 to the east of Taunton are essential to creating a second strategic route and delivering sustained economic growth in the South West peninsula.

“While the Budget announcement is disappointing, we will continue to support the Department for Transport to ensure that they look at other ways to alleviate connectivity issues in the region.”