M5 Roundabout Upgrade to Proceed Amid Defence Spending Increase

A significant multi-million-pound upgrade to the Edithmead roundabout near the M5 in Somerset will proceed as planned, despite recent speculation that it might be scrapped to fund rising defence spending. Somerset Council has confirmed that the project remains fully funded and unaffected by recent government budget reallocations.

The upgrade is part of the wider A38 Major Road Network programme, a collaborative effort between Somerset Council and North Somerset Council aimed at enhancing the A38 corridor between the M5 motorway and Bristol Airport. The initiative is designed to reduce congestion, shorten journey times, and boost safety for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Key to the programme is the transformation of the Edithmead roundabout, located near junction 22 of the M5, into a ‘throughabout’ – a form of roundabout allowing uninterrupted flow of traffic in certain directions. This design is similar to the recently completed Dunball scheme in Bridgwater, which has proven effective in managing traffic.

Following the announcement that Centregreat had secured the contract to deliver the Edithmead upgrade, social media reports suggested that central government might cancel the A38 programme to reallocate funds towards defence expenditure. However, Somerset Council has firmly denied these claims, stating that the Department for Transport (DfT) is expected to approve the final business case for the project in the coming months.

Previously, then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a £15 billion increase in defence spending over four years, funded through savings in departments including the DfT and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This announcement, to be implemented by successor Andy Burnham, resulted in the cancellation of certain other schemes, such as the A46 Newark bypass in Lincolnshire and A38 improvements in Derby.

Despite these changes, Somerset Council has clarified that neither the Edithmead roundabout upgrade nor the broader A38 improvements in Somerset will be jeopardised. A council spokesperson stated, “The funding of the A38 major road network schemes will not be impacted by this announcement.”

The full A38 programme is estimated to cost around £30 million. Centregreat’s contract, covering the Dunball scheme and Somerset sections of the A38 improvements, is valued at approximately £12.8 million, according to government tender documents.

Somerset Council is set to advance three key schemes under this tender:

Converting the Edithmead roundabout into a signalised ‘throughabout’ to facilitate smoother traffic flow from the M5 onto the northbound A38 Bristol Road towards Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare.
Remodelling the Cross junction near Axbridge, where the A38 Bridgwater Road intersects with Old Coach Road and Cross Lane, to create a staggered crossroads featuring safer pedestrian crossings.
Upgrading the Shute Shelve crossing near Axbridge, part of the Strawberry Line active travel route, to improve safety and accessibility.

Notably, a proposed traffic calming scheme in Rooksbridge is absent from Centregreat’s tender, suggesting it may be handled separately or delayed.

Looking ahead, the council’s executive committee is scheduled to decide on “preparatory works at the Edithmead roundabout,” building on earlier efforts that cleared trees and vegetation from the site. This decision will likely follow the approval of the final business case and will include announcements on project timelines and traffic diversions.

“The funding of the A38 major road network schemes will not be impacted by this announcement,” a Somerset Council spokesperson emphasised, reaffirming the project’s secure status amidst broader government spending shifts.

Somerset’s commitment to upgrading these vital road links reflects a focus on safer, more efficient travel for residents and commuters, ensuring that local infrastructure improvements continue despite national budgetary changes.