A £1.5 million upgrade to a crucial cycle route along the A39 between Dunster and Carhampton in west Somerset has been cancelled because of logistical challenges. The funding was initially awarded by Active Travel England, part of the Department for Transport, to Somerset Council in May 2023.
The existing cycle path on this stretch is narrow, overgrown, and shared with pedestrians, posing safety risks for cyclists. The A39 also serves as a primary route for heavy goods vehicles and experiences heavy holiday traffic, increasing hazards for riders.
Although improvements are planned at the A39 Minehead Road and A396 Dunster Steep junction—including updated traffic signals and enhanced pedestrian crossings—the broader upgrade between Dunster and Carhampton will not proceed at this time. Instead, the £1.5 million grant is being redirected to other active travel initiatives across Somerset, such as projects in Yeovil, Taunton, and alongside the A39 Westway.
READ MORE: Murder Investigation Launched After 9-Year-Old Girl Found Dead in Weston-super-Mare
READ MORE: ‘Sassy’ and ‘Lovely Little’ 9-Year-Old Girl Pictured for First Time After Tragic Murder
Somerset Council emphasized that while the Dunster to Carhampton scheme faces significant delivery difficulties, efforts to find alternative ways to improve the cycle route will continue. Work on the A39 Westway cycling and walking improvements near Clarks Village is set to begin on January 5, 2026.