Somerset Council has revised its plans for upgrading the busy crossing over the A38 at Shute Shelve near Axbridge, implementing smaller-scale safety improvements rather than the originally proposed signal-controlled crossing.
The council, in partnership with North Somerset Council, has been working on several schemes aimed at enhancing the A38 corridor between the M5 and Bristol Airport. The overall objectives are to reduce journey times, alleviate congestion, and improve road safety along this key route.
Initially, the plan included installing a signal-controlled crossing on the A38 at Shute Shelve, replacing the existing uncontrolled crossing that forms part of the Strawberry Line long-distance cycle route. However, following feedback from local residents and stakeholders, the council decided to forgo the signalisation in favour of more modest safety upgrades.
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The crossing, situated at the edge of the Mendip Hills national landscape and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), connects the communities of Winscombe and Axbridge, with onward travel options towards Cheddar. Pedestrians and cyclists currently navigate a ‘sheep pen’ style crossing that offers limited space to avoid heavy goods vehicles and airport-bound traffic.
According to surveys by the Strawberry Line Society, the crossing is used by more than 150,000 people annually. The society had advocated for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge at this location, similar to one installed over the B3136 West Shepton in Shepton Mallet in October 2024.
However, the council announced that the original signalisation scheme, estimated to cost over £500,000, would not proceed. Some of the allocated funding will be redirected to other initiatives within the wider A38 improvement programme. Installing a new bridge was estimated to cost around £1 million.
A Somerset Council spokesperson stated: “The A38 major road network programme has been developed and refined through the business case process to ensure it remains deliverable, provides value for money, and reflects feedback from stakeholders and local communities. As part of this process, some elements of the scheme have been reviewed and adjusted. At Shute Shelve, the current proposals focus on delivering appropriate safety improvements, rather than the introduction of full signalisation as previously considered. Community feedback was clear and we took this on board – local people did not want it signalised.”
All A38 improvement projects within Somerset Council’s jurisdiction will be managed by Centregreat, the company responsible for the recent £10.7 million upgrade to the Dunball roundabout in Bridgwater.
Regarding future options, the council indicated there are no immediate plans or funding for an alternative crossing at Shute Shelve but remains open to future discussions about potential enhancements. The spokesperson added, “The funding associated with the scheme remains allocated to the A38 package as a whole, supporting a range of improvements along the corridor. With regard to longer-term aspirations, such as a potential bridge at this location, there are currently no confirmed plans beyond the scope of the A38 programme. Any future proposals would be subject to separate development, funding availability, and further engagement. The final business case has been submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT), and we are awaiting their decision. At this stage, there is no confirmed timeline for approval or for the commencement of works. Further details will be shared once they are available.”
Mick Fletcher, chairman of the Strawberry Line Society, welcomed the council’s responsiveness to local views. He expressed optimism that a bridge could be realised in the near future, stating, “We are pleased that the council has responded to local advice and will not be taking forward a signalised crossing, which we feel would have been a waste of public money. While it is understandable that the savings can only be reallocated within the A38 package, we are disappointed that the council could not give a clearer indication of support for a bridge as the only sensible long-term solution. I had been given to understand that the council had accepted the case for a bridge and that preliminary design work was included in their forward plans.”