Bridgwater drivers should prepare for significant disruption as roadworks commence for up to a year to build a new cycle link serving upcoming M5 services. S. Notaro Land Ltd. received outline planning permission in September 2021 to develop a major services complex just east of junction 24, located west of Huntworth Lane.
In March 2025, Welcome Break unveiled detailed designs, revealing two new access points on Huntworth Lane: an entry-only slip road from the Huntworth roundabout and a T-junction further along to allow vehicles both entry and exit. Notaro now plans to add a walking and cycling path connecting the services to the existing Bridgwater and Taunton Canal cycle route, facilitating access to Bridgwater town centre.
To enable this cycling link, temporary traffic lights will be installed on Marsh Lane near the Boat and Anchor pub entrance from August 6, with work expected to last up to twelve months. Marsh Lane, often used as an unofficial shortcut to the M5, may experience congestion during this time.
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The new facility will feature a petrol station, amenity building, and a drive-thru coffee shop—likely a Starbucks, based on the designs—which will complement existing Starbucks outlets at Hankridge Farm (junction 25) and Dunball (junction 23). The services will offer extensive parking: 324 car bays (including 20 accessible and 54 electric vehicle charging bays), eight motorcycle bays, ten caravan bays (two accessible), eight coach bays, and 39 HGV bays.
North of the services, Notaro intends to develop employment spaces accessed via a new spine road stemming from a proposed Huntworth Lane roundabout. The cycle link will branch off this spine road, crossing an existing footpath, winding through farmland west of Huntworth Lane, and reconnecting near the junction with Marsh Lane.
This new connection supports the Bridgwater Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan’s goal to enhance active travel between the town centre and southern developments—including the services and nearby North Petherton housing projects. It will link to the National Cycle Network route 3 along the canal towpath and segregated paths on Squibbers Way, connecting further to the Celebration Mile.
A Somerset Council spokesperson stated, “The provisional programme is estimated by Notaro’s contractor to be approximately 12 months, based on the highway works required under outline planning permission. There is no council funding supporting these works. Welcome Break appears to be a lead occupier of the site delivered by Notaro.”
Welcome Break runs several M5 service areas, including the northbound Sedgemoor services (junctions 21-22), Gordano services near Bristol (junction 19), and Michaelwood services in Gloucestershire (junction 13). The company, headquartered in Buckinghamshire, has not disclosed potential job numbers for the new Bridgwater site.
The council expects to decide on the detailed planning application before Christmas. A similar Welcome Break project near the A303 Cartgate roundabout by Yeovil is also pending approval.