Motorists in Bridgwater should prepare for additional evening and overnight road closures over the next two months as the £10.7 million Dunball roundabout upgrade approaches its final stages. Since November 2024, Somerset Council and contractor Centregreat have been working to enhance the crucial junction connecting M5 junction 23 to Bridgwater town centre via the A38 Bristol Road.
Primarily funded by the government’s levelling up fund, this significant infrastructure project is due for completion later this autumn, coinciding with Bridgwater’s annual flagship carnival.
To ensure timely completion, a series of temporary closures will start from Monday, September 15. These closures will require motorists to follow extended diversions and allow extra travel time during evening and overnight hours.
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The upgrade focuses on improving traffic flow between Bridgwater and the motorway by introducing traffic signals at every junction and a ‘throughabout’ lane, enabling uninterrupted passage to the motorway. This improvement is key to supporting new residential and commercial developments, including the Agratas gigafactory located between Puriton and Woolavington.
Beyond road improvements, the project also enhances walking and cycling infrastructure, aligning with the Bridgwater Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The ultimate goal is to establish a continuous active travel link from the town centre to the gigafactory via the Downend pedestrian bridge.
As the construction project nears completion, resurfacing work and installation of new traffic signals necessitate road closures at various points around the roundabout from September 15 onwards. Motorists should avoid the roundabout between 7:30 pm and 5 am daily while these works are underway.
Key closure details include:
- Northbound A38 Bristol Road closed between 11 pm and 5 am on specified dates.
- Southbound A38 Bristol Road closure scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, and Friday, October 3.
- Eastbound A39 (towards the M5) closed on Thursday, September 18, and Thursday, October 2, with access maintained from the Glastonbury side.
- Eastern section of the roundabout will be closed overnight on select dates, restricting travel around the eastern side but allowing access to the A39 and M5.
All closures depend on weather and unforeseen circumstances, with signed diversions directing traffic via A39 Bath Road and Puriton Hill.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans expressed satisfaction with the progress: “We’re delighted with our contractor’s work at this vital junction. The project remains on time and on budget, set for completion this autumn as planned. Our goal is to enhance capacity to accommodate substantial economic and residential growth in Bridgwater and beyond.”
He continued, “Projects such as the Agratas gigafactory, the wider Gravity development, and Hinkley Point C are vital to the region’s future. Ensuring our road infrastructure supports these opportunities is a top priority. While some disruption is inevitable, scheduling work overnight helps minimize impact, and we encourage road users to plan ahead. We thank residents, businesses, and motorists for their ongoing patience and support.”