Cars skip red lights at 'nightmare' Huntworth roundabout between Bridgwater and North Petherton near m5 junction 24 as councillors call for changes

The video, taken by the Mercury, shows cars failing to stop at the red light, opposite the Campion Way junction.

The roundabout, just off the M5 junction 24 slip road, has undergone a multi-million improvement scheme since October in a bid to increase traffic capacity and ease congestion.

Work started on the roundabout in October 2015, and after a series of delays was re-opened in July.

Now, residents have said the new traffic light system and road markings have made the junction a “nightmare”.

Councillor Leigh Redman wrote to Somerset County Council Highways, raising residents’ fears.

He said: “Many motorists’ are jumping red lights, as the system and road markings are unclear.

“It’s a blind spot, and county’s idea is that people will get used to the roundabout, but 70 per cent of people using it are using it for the first time for the services.

“There’s lots of horn beeping and people have had a few bumps already.”

Councillors Leigh Redman and Bill Revan.

Councillor Bill Revan, who lives in North Petherton, said: “It’s a nightmare.

“It needs to be sorted now, as people are using Wilstock and Stcokmoor as an alternative route and it’s becoming a rat run.”

North Petherton town councillor, Helen Phillips, said she thought the signal timings were not correct.

She said: “While it’s great the constructors are now away, having completed their works before the summer holidays as promised, there are obviously some serious teething problems.

“Drivers and Somerset County Council Highways will need to be watching how they go as the signal timings aren’t quite right and the signs and road markings are new and clearly not understood- perhaps not quite right yet.

“The council have been notified, although I imagine they are already watching closely and hopefully will act swiftly to ensure the safe introduction of this major new layout.

“We’ve waited patiently during months of works, this busy junction needs to be right and we hope it soon will be.”

A council spokesman said: “We became aware of an issue on the roundabout where cars were not stopping at the red lights on the stop line next to Campion Way.

“After reviewing the situation and considering the options we have made adjustments to the lights next to Campion Way to reduce any confusion between the various sets of lights.

“We are also trialling reducing the minimum length of green light time on the Campion Way approach, which will allow more cars to flow through the circulatory area of the roundabout.

“We will be keeping a close eye on these adjustments and making further changes to make sure that traffic is moving through the roundabout quickly and safely.

“As with all new junctions it takes time for the motorist to get used to the new layout, particularly where traffic signals have been added to the junction.

“So far the adjustments seem to have improved the situation.”