LEADERS at Somerset County Council say while they have welcomed the promise of funding to revamp the A303, the Government must improve the whole route.

Prime Minister David Cameron annouced earlier this week that money would be given to improve the stretch of road as part of a £15 billion "roads revolution". 

The news came just days after Deputy PM Nick Clegg paid a visit to Ilminster to see for himself the problems along the A303 local road users were having. 

 County Council leader John Osman and Deputy leader David Hall have pressed the Government to commit to the “whole route” improvement programme needed to seriously upgrade the key road.

They have urged them to avoid a piecemeal approach to modernising the route, which they say would not be far reaching enough.

The key A303 trunk road links London and the South East to the South West through Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset and Devon.

The Prime Minister says it is one of over 100 major road projects targeted for investment in December’s Autumn Statement, equalling “hundreds of extra lane miles on our motorways and trunk roads”.

John Osman said: “The A303 is a major arterial route connecting the capital with our beautiful county, and I warmly welcome the Government’s announcement.

“Yet with a projected £2bn needed to improve the whole of the A303, and over 100 improvements to major roads proposed by the Coalition, we will be pushing the Government to factor in the bigger picture of investment needed to improve the whole route – generating a £41.6 billion boost to UK economy and creating over 21,000 jobs.”

Cllr David Hall added: “Improvements, such as dualling the A303, have long-been called for as a solution for increasing traffic flow and tackling congestion on this busy, in-demand route.

“But as one of the county’s vital arteries, the A303 simply will not meet the demands of the 21st Century unless the Government commits to a sustained, whole-route programme of improvements.

“This means also investing in improving the A303’s key connecting roads or ‘swallow-tails’ – where it branches north along the A358 to Taunton, and the A30 to Honiton – which are crucial for economic growth and resilience.

“An intelligent scheme to tackling major congestion at Stonehenge also needs to be addressed as part of this bigger picture approach.

“We, in tandem with our neighbouring County Councils, will be keeping the pressure on to ensure a future A303 meets the needs of our county and the South West region.”

  • The Autumn Statement will be delivered on December 3 by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.