The decision to cancel the upgrade of the Cross Rifles roundabout in Bridgwater has left local residents “sick to death” of the mounting traffic issues, according to Conservative opposition leader Councillor Diogo Rodrigues.
The Cross Rifles roundabout serves as a critical junction in Bridgwater, connecting the A38 Bristol Road from the M5 motorway, the A39 Bath Road leading toward the new ‘gigafactory’ site, the A38 Broadway, and The Clink, which provides access to Bridgwater Retail Park. Originally, this junction was slated for a major upgrade as part of the northern corridor improvements with over £10 million funded through the 2021 levelling-up initiative.
However, in August 2024, Somerset Council made the controversial decision to scrap the Cross Rifles upgrade due to escalating costs, reallocating the remaining funds toward improvements at the Dunball roundabout closer to the motorway. Councillor Rodrigues criticizes this move for exacerbating traffic congestion in the town centre, negatively impacting both residents and local businesses.
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“People in Bridgwater are sick to death of the traffic in the town and the decisions that make everyday travel more difficult,” said Rodrigues during a council executive meeting in Taunton on November 7. He highlighted that the original upgrade aimed to increase capacity and alleviate congestion, supported by additional contributions from Hinkley Point C and housing developments. The cancellation, he argued, removes important mitigation measures for traffic pressures expected from nearby developments.
In response, council officials maintain that prioritizing the Dunball roundabout was essential given funding constraints and construction cost inflation. Councillor Richard Wilkins, responsible for transport and waste services, explained that rising costs and project risks—particularly land acquisition challenges—rendered the original Cross Rifles scheme unfeasible as initially planned.
Instead, the Cross Rifles project will shift focus away from expanding highway capacity to smaller-scale safety improvements and enhancing walking and cycling routes within existing road boundaries. About £2 million remains from developer contributions, but this funding is legally restricted to active travel improvements rather than road widening.
Wilkins expressed gratitude to residents for their patience during ongoing work at Dunball, which is nearing completion with full reopening expected by November 21. The council is committed to delivering these upgrades within budget, aiming to support regional growth while managing traffic flow safely and effectively.
Despite these assurances, community frustration persists as many feel that the scrapped upgrade leaves Bridgwater’s traffic problems unresolved, highlighting the challenges of balancing infrastructure needs and financial realities in a growing town.