WORK ahead of major improvements at a motorway junction in Somerset get started today (January 19) and are set to run until late March.
Advance works to prepare the Edithmead roundabout at junction 22 of the M5 – between Burnham-on-Sea and Barrow Gurney – for the improvements set to start later in the year.
Somerset Council, in partnership with North Somerset Council, has secured funding for the roadworks from the government, and said “a significant number of trees and vegetation” need to be cleared from the site, with lane closures and traffic lights in place at various times.
“There will be a landscaping package at the conclusion of the project to ensure as much vegetation as possible is replaced around the new road layout,” a Somerset Council spokesperson said.
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The improvements are aimed at cutting traffic and to improve the A38 from junction 22 of the M5 to the South Bristol Link (Colliters Way) for pedestrians and cyclists.
Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste services, Councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “It’s good to see this important work go ahead, we have lobbied hard to secure the money to improve a busy and vital stretch of the A38 in Somerset.
“We understand people may be concerned about the clearance – rest assured there will be a full landscaping package for greenery after the project has concluded.”
A38 schemes in the Somerset Council area include:
- Edithmead Roundabout near J22 M5: Creation of a through-about option with signalisation of all arms of the roundabout.
- Rooksbridge: Safety scheme comprising mainly road markings.
- Cross: Creation of a staggered junction design at Cross which has been discussed with relevant landowners.
- Strawberry Line Crossing: An improved crossing of the A38 at Shute Shelve
- Sustainable travel: Improvements to bus stops and pedestrian/cycling facilities at various locations.
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Why don’t you make a roundabout opposite the fox and goose pub that would make more sense, a lot of people have already made this comment. I would like to hear your reaction to this, it would relieve the traffic on the next roundabout by half.