The decision to scrap the planned upgrade of the Cross Rifles roundabout has left Bridgwater residents and local officials frustrated by worsening traffic congestion. The roundabout, a crucial junction connecting the A38 Bristol Road, A39 Bath Road, and access to the Bridgwater Retail Park, was once set for a major overhaul.
Back in 2021, over £10 million funding from the government’s levelling-up fund was secured to enhance Bridgwater’s northern corridor, aiming to ease traffic and boost road capacity. However, in August 2024, Somerset Council reversed course, cancelling the Cross Rifles upgrade due to escalating costs, and redirected funds to improve the Dunball roundabout near the M5 motorway instead.
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, leader of the opposition Conservative group and representative for Bridgwater East and Bawdrip, criticized the decision, stating it has increased congestion and negatively impacted both residents and local businesses. “People in Bridgwater are sick to death of the traffic in the town, and the decisions that the council takes which make life harder for people just to go about their everyday lives,” Rodrigues said during a council meeting.
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The original plan for the Cross Rifles upgrade included contributions from Hinkley Point C and various housing developers to help mitigate traffic impacts. Rodrigues questioned whether cancelling the upgrade has undermined these mitigation efforts, potentially straining the road network due to approved developments relying on the improvements.
Somerset Council defended the decision, emphasizing that rising construction costs and project risks forced a reallocation of funds. Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for transport and waste services, explained that completing the Dunball roundabout was more critical for regional growth. The Cross Rifles project will now focus on safety enhancements and active travel infrastructure such as walking and cycling paths within existing road boundaries, rather than expanding highway capacity.
Wilkins also noted that about £2 million in developer contributions remain earmarked for improvements at Cross Rifles, but these funds must be used exclusively for walking and cycling measures to comply with agreements. The council risks having to return the money if it is not spent accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Dunball roundabout improvements are nearing completion, with the council confirming the junction’s full reopening scheduled for November 21, 2024. Officials thanked the Bridgwater community for their patience and support throughout the construction period.