A vital £5m upgrade to a key road linking a growing Somerset town to the M5 motorway has been delayed until late-2024. The project, aimed at upgrading and resurfacing the roundabout at junction 26 and the Chelston Link Road to Wellington, known locally as the ‘concrete carriageway’, received funding from the Department for Transport in July 2020.
Despite the initial announcement, the scheme has faced multiple delays. The funding has been transferred to the new Somerset Council, with the construction expected to start only in the latter part of 2024. This delay comes as the council reassesses all major capital projects in light of a financial emergency, aiming to ensure their viability without external borrowing. The funding for the project is ring-fenced and cannot be reallocated for other purposes.
The council has received additional funding for day-to-day spending on road maintenance but remains committed to delivering the ‘concrete carriageway’ upgrade. The project’s timetable has been influenced by the tendering process and the availability of road space, with potential clashes with other National Highways works in the area.
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Despite these setbacks, the council is coordinating with National Highways to schedule the upgrade without interfering with other planned roadworks. The aim is to execute the project in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner, considering industry inflation pressures and future usability.
The council’s executive committee will review initial savings proposals on December 6, with next year’s budget set by councillors in late-February 2024.