Motorists traveling near Wellington can now experience smoother journeys as a £5.7 million road upgrade has been completed ahead of schedule. The A38 Chelston Link Road, often referred to locally as ‘the concrete carriageway,’ connects Wellington to junction 26 of the M5 and serves as a vital route for villages in the nearby Blackdown Hills.
Somerset Council closed the road in mid-June to carry out a comprehensive improvement scheme, fully funded by central government. During the works, traffic was temporarily diverted via Taunton and down to the Tiverton junction of the M5. Thanks to innovative construction techniques and efficient night shifts, the road reopened on the night of Saturday, September 6—about two weeks earlier than planned.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, praised the project’s success. Speaking outside the Foxmoor Business Park on September 8, he explained: “We’re really pleased that this has opened ahead of schedule. Working closely with our contractor Heidelberg Materials, we crushed the old concrete in situ and reused it as the base for the new road. The original carriageway was 51 years old and showing serious wear—kerbstones and parts of the roundabout had deteriorated significantly. Along with repairing broken drains, we have delivered this upgrade on budget and ahead of time.”
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The timing of the project during summer holidays was strategic, ensuring that National Highways’ M5 depot remained accessible for essential winter gritting operations. While concerns about disruption initially arose, Rigby noted that traffic flow and management operated remarkably well, minimizing complaints despite added journey times during construction.
With several new housing developments planned around Wellington and the anticipated opening of the town’s new railway station, the updated link road is set to accommodate increased traffic in the near future. Although the station project has faced delays, Rigby expressed optimism: “This improvement links the motorway directly with the future railway station, which we expect to open within the next year or so. Wellington has long been the largest town on the Great Western Railway line between Penzance and London Paddington without its own station—a historical oversight now being corrected.”
This project does not add extra capacity but significantly enhances the quality and reliability of the route connecting junction 26 to Wellington. Somerset Council also has other infrastructure projects underway, including the Dunball roundabout upgrade near junction 23 of the M5 and the Bridgwater Celebration Mile development.
Reflecting on lessons learned, Rigby suggested the methods used in this project could inform future road upgrades, particularly replacing concrete with tarmac. However, he noted that each project has unique challenges: “Dunball involves a new ‘through-about’ to increase capacity and ease congestion, especially important with 4,000 workers expected soon at the Agratas electric vehicle battery facility opening in two years.”
Overall, the successful early completion of the Chelston Link Road upgrade marks a major step toward improved transport links in Somerset, supporting the region’s growth and connectivity.