Somerset’s newest motorway junction, designated as ‘22A’, has been unveiled as part of the revised plans for the county’s upcoming ‘gigafactory’. The £150m investment plan by Gravity is aimed at providing critical infrastructure for the £4bn gigafactory situated between Puriton and Woolavington.
Agratas recently showcased revised plans for the gigafactory’s initial phase, featuring the commencement of a ring road that will eventually connect the new motorway junction to Enterprise Way. National Highways has stated its commitment to expeditiously deliver the junction.
Displayed at Woolavington Village Hall, the proposed junction 22A will be situated just north of the former freight line serving the Gravity site, which could potentially be restored as the gigafactory development progresses.
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The location of the junction is limited by the Huntspill River and the adjacent nature reserve along the Gravity site’s northern boundary. Consequently, junction 22A will cater exclusively to southbound traffic heading towards the gigafactory. It will include a southbound slip road for access from Bristol, Weston-super-Mare, and Highbridge, as well as a northbound slip road for return passage to the M5.
Vehicles seeking access to the site from the south, such as from Bridgwater, Taunton, and Wellington, will continue to utilize junction 23, currently undergoing enhancements, and then follow Enterprise Way to reach the southern entrance. National Highways emphasized that the definitive design and layout will be confirmed during the initial design phase, aiming to implement the scheme at the earliest convenience.
Colin Bird, the Regional Delivery Director, expressed, “We are exploring methods to facilitate the anticipated growth in the Bridgwater, Puriton, and surrounding areas and its impact on our roads. Engaging with local stakeholders is a priority as we work towards delivering this scheme.”
The cost of delivering the new junction has not been disclosed by National Highways. The agency is expected to conduct public engagement events on the preliminary proposals, allowing the community to provide input before the formal plans are submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT).