Somerset Council has confirmed that there are no immediate plans to upgrade the busy roundabout located on the northern edge of Cheddar, famously known as the ‘magic roundabout’. This junction is where the A371 Axbridge Road and Upper New Road intersect with the B3135 towards Cheddar Gorge and Shipham Road, which leads to several local quarries.
The roundabout is heavily used not only by quarrying lorries but also by increasing volumes of traffic generated by housing developments in Cheddar and Axbridge. Additionally, it serves visitors heading to nearby attractions such as the Cheddar Reservoir, local campsites, and other tourist destinations.
Previously, Sedgemoor District Council had identified this junction as a priority for improvement within its transport strategy published in August 2019, committing to realign the roads to enhance traffic flow and improve safety for pedestrians.
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Since Somerset Council took over from the district council in April 2023, it has revealed that no detailed designs or funding are currently in place for any upgrade to the roundabout. Instead, the council is conducting a feasibility study, funded through contributions from local housing developments under Section 106 agreements, to explore potential improvements.
Officials have acknowledged that, regardless of the study’s findings, any physical changes to the junction may be several years away. The current layout of the roundabout is somewhat unusual, featuring the A371 and B3135 sliding past one another with limited turning space-an issue compounded when multiple lorries navigate the junction simultaneously.
Pedestrian provisions are minimal, particularly for those crossing to the Esso petrol station and shop from Axbridge. They must traverse an existing island that lacks a tarmac surface, posing safety concerns. This pedestrian traffic is expected to rise following proposed redevelopment plans of the nearby former Yeo Valley complex, which include 56 new houses and a 66-bed care home.
Traffic congestion around the roundabout could also increase if approval is granted for a new Lidl supermarket on the A371 Upper New Road, located opposite the Oak Tree Park housing estate.
A Somerset Council spokesperson commented: “We are undertaking a feasibility study at the junction funded by Section 106 contributions from local developments. Beyond this, there are currently no plans or funding allocated for any upgrade. No designs have been developed, nor land acquired, for improvements at this location. Any future work will depend on the outcomes of the feasibility study, funding availability, and our broader transport priorities.”
The council added that recent data collection during 2024/25 has provided a baseline understanding of existing conditions to support the feasibility study. However, it could not specify the exact amount of Section 106 funding allocated to this work at present.