Somerset Council is set to begin an extensive three-month upgrade of the Chelston link road, connecting M5 Junction 26 to Wellington and nearby business parks. The project, which has been delayed for nearly five years despite Department for Transport funding, will close the junction from mid-June, raising serious concerns among local councillors about inevitable summer traffic chaos.
The Chelston link road, sometimes known as the ‘concrete carriageway,’ serves as a critical artery linking the M5 motorway, Westpark 26 business park, and the A38 toward Taunton. Greg Brock, a quantity surveyor at AECOM, explained that the existing road is over 50 years old and deteriorating, necessitating a full excavation and replacement under the motorway—a process complicated by limited headroom. Elsewhere, the project will employ “rubblisation,” crushing the old concrete to form a foundation for the new surface, a technique commonly used in airport runway construction.
The reconstruction will proceed in four phases, starting with work on the western section of the junction roundabout on June 15. This will involve closing the motorway slip roads to all but National Highways vehicles servicing the nearby Chelston depot. Subsequent phases will complete the roundabout and reconstruct the link road between two key roundabouts, impacting routes toward Foxmoor Business Park and Westpark 26.
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With Junction 26 closed, drivers will need to use alternative routes, exiting the M5 at Junctions 25 or 27 and traveling via the A38. Residents of West Buckland and the Blackdown Hills will face new diversions, with traffic redirected through local roads such as Hockholler Road and Ford Street, raising concerns about increased congestion and safety.
Local councillors voiced their alarm at a virtual community meeting, warning that summer traffic levels will exacerbate delays and hazards. Janet Lloyd, chair of Sampford Arundel Parish Council, criticized the timing of the works, highlighting frequent motorway closures and accidents on the A38, especially near Beambridge crossroads. She called for improved traffic management solutions, including enforcement of speed limits and the installation of traffic lights or roundabouts at dangerous junctions.
Richard Gorst of Somerset Council justified the summer timing, emphasizing the importance of keeping the Chelston depot operational for winter maintenance and salt gritting. John Thorne of Wellington Town Council expressed frustration over the short notice given despite years of planning. Concerns also remain over the impact on HGVs using local roads and the durability of the new road surface, with fears that subpar resurfacing could lead to further safety issues and costly repairs.
National Highways has pledged to manage traffic carefully during incidents, coordinating with police to reroute vehicles and provide advance warnings. Public drop-in events will be held before work begins to inform residents and motorists about the project details and traffic management plans.
This major infrastructure upgrade promises long-term benefits but is expected to bring considerable disruption throughout the summer months, requiring patience and careful planning from all road users.