Somerset Council has reassured the public that the multi-million pound upgrade of a key roundabout near the M5 motorway will continue as planned, dispelling rumours that the project might be scrapped to support increased defence spending.
In collaboration with North Somerset Council, efforts are underway to enhance the A38 corridor connecting the M5 to Bristol Airport. The work forms part of the wider ‘A38 Major Road Network’ programme, targeting reduced journey times, alleviated congestion, and improved road safety.
A central feature of the programme is the transformation of the Edithmead roundabout near junction 22 of the M5 into a signalised ‘throughabout’. This redesign, inspired by the recently completed Dunball scheme in Bridgwater, aims to allow smoother traffic flow, particularly easing movements from the M5 onto the northbound A38 Bristol Road towards Cheddar and Weston-super-Mare.
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Following Centregreat’s appointment to deliver the Edithmead upgrade, social media speculation suggested that the project, along with the wider A38 initiatives, could be shelved due to government plans to increase defence spending. However, Somerset Council has firmly denied these claims, affirming that the Department for Transport (DfT) is expected to approve the final business case shortly.
The defence spending increase, announced by then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in late June, involves a £15 billion boost over four years. To accommodate this, funding has been identified through efficiency savings within the DfT and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). While two other UK road improvement schemes-the A46 Newark bypass in Lincolnshire and upgrades to the A38 in Derby-have been cancelled, Somerset’s schemes remain unaffected.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council stated, “The funding of the A38 major road network schemes will not be impacted by this announcement.”
The overall cost of the A38 improvements is estimated at approximately £30 million. Of this, Centregreat’s successful tender-covering the Dunball scheme and A38 projects within Somerset’s jurisdiction-is valued around £12.8 million as per government tendering documents.
Somerset Council’s identified schemes include:
- Conversion of Edithmead roundabout into a signalised throughabout to improve traffic flow from the M5 onto the A38.
- Remodelling the Cross junction near Axbridge to create a staggered crossroads with enhanced pedestrian crossings.
- Upgrading the Shute Shelve crossing, part of the Strawberry Line active travel route near Axbridge.
Interestingly, a planned traffic calming project in Rooksbridge is not part of the current tender, suggesting it may be handled separately or omitted for budgetary considerations.
The council’s executive committee has scheduled a decision on “preparatory works at the Edithmead roundabout,” which will follow previous clearance of trees and vegetation from the site. This decision is anticipated soon after the business case receives final approval, after which the council will announce start dates and diversion details for the upgrade works.