PREPARATION work for a major project to improve the Dunball roundabout linking Bridgwater and junction 23 of the M5 will start at the end of January.

Somerset County Council and infrastructure group Balfour Beatty are delivering an upgraded, signalised roundabout.

The preparations scheduled under traffic management will include vegetation work and the removal of some trees.

The council will offset this by planting more trees at another location in Somerset as part of the county's Climate Emergency Strategy. 

Once complete, the council says the new design should manage peak time traffic flow more effectively, enable growth and development in the area and reduce the likelihood of traffic backing onto the motorway.

It also says pedestrian and cycling access will be improved as part of the scheme's commitment to improving Bridgwater's active travel provision.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for transport and digital, said: “This is an important project at a very busy interchange where there can sometimes be significant delays for road users during peak times, and it is also very difficult to access for pedestrians and cyclists.

“It’s great to be working in partnership with Balfour Beatty to deliver another significant improvement on Somerset’s network. 

“We’re really pleased to see the commencement of enabling works in January – of course, this may cause some slight delays at peak times but our team will do their utmost to minimise this.” 

Last November, the next phase of the A38 Active Travel Corridor opened alongside the River Parrett from Bridgwater’s Express Park to the Saltlands Bridge. 

This new safe route for cyclists and pedestrians will eventually stretch from the Gravity site at Puriton to Bridgwater town centre via Dunball. 

The scheme has been funded by a contribution from the government's levelling up fund, Sedgemoor District Council, the Bridgwater Town Deal, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and National Highways.

You can keep up to date with travel information and major schemes at www.travelsomerset.co.uk.

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