A series of significant upgrades to the A38 corridor between Highbridge and Bristol Airport have been confirmed following central government funding approval, though no official start date has been set.
Somerset Council, in collaboration with North Somerset Council, has secured Department for Transport (DfT) funding for ten key schemes aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing journey times to and from Bristol Airport, and unlocking new development opportunities along the route.
The DfT’s funding announcement came in early July, shortly after the government’s spending review, more than four years after the initial proposals were first put forward back in June 2021. Despite this progress, work cannot begin until the final business case is submitted and approved by the government.
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Of the ten proposed schemes, four fall within Somerset Council’s jurisdiction, while six are within North Somerset’s boundaries. The Somerset projects include important upgrades, such as the Edithmead roundabout improvements, which alone is expected to receive approximately £6.4 million of Somerset’s total £8.77 million allocation from the £26.3 million DfT funding pool.
In addition to highway improvements, plans also include enhancements to bus stops, walking, and cycling facilities at various points along the A38 corridor to promote sustainable travel.
North Somerset Council has already appointed Octavius to design and build its five projects, while Somerset Council is still in the process of selecting contractors. Somerset Council previously engaged Centregreat in August 2024 to deliver improvements at the Dunball roundabout, with the flexibility to extend the contract for other projects like Edithmead, aiming to optimize procurement efficiencies and reduce costs.
A council spokesperson commented, “There is a lot of complex work to do in a short time-frame. We anticipate submitting the final business case before Christmas, though some factors outside our control may impact this timeline.” They added that the DfT typically reviews business cases within 12 weeks of submission.
Regarding contractor appointments, the spokesperson noted, “We are exploring procurement options to ensure the best value for money. However, we cannot announce the contracted parties until after DfT approval has been received and contracts are finalized.”
Somerset Council also emphasized its commitment to minimizing disruption during the delivery phase, especially in light of the recent public frustration with roadworks in Bridgwater. The delivery schedule will be coordinated closely with contractors and neighboring authorities to reduce impact on local traffic and communities.
Funding beyond the DfT allocation, if required, will be sourced locally, potentially through developer contributions under Section 106 agreements or other grants.