A358 Taunton to Southfields Dualling Scheme

Overview

We are consulting on our proposals to improve the A358 between the M5 at Taunton and Southfields Roundabout on the A303 near Ilminster.

This follows on from our public consultation in 2017. Please visit the previous consultation page to find out more details and read the consultation report.

This new consultation is being held to help inform the choice of a preferred route for the scheme by asking for your feedback on the proposals. For ease in providing feedback, the scheme has been divided into 2 sections:

Section 1 – a new motorway junction on the M5 and new dual carriageway link from the M5 to the existing A358, bypassing Henlade.

Section 2 – dualling the A358 along the line of the existing road from south-east of Henlade to Southfields Roundabout on the A303.

Please take the time to take part in the consultation : your views and comments will help us improve the designs in the next stage of development. 

Please note: If you responded to last year’s consultation and have nothing further to add at this point, then you do not need to re-submit your original response as it will still be taken into account. If your views have changed though, please take the opportunity to have a further say.

Background and need

The A303/A358 corridor provides vital connectivity between the south west and London and the south east for people, communities and businesses, including the tourist industry which is so important to the south west. But there are problems along the route.

In particular there are several single carriageway sections where road users suffer congestion and long delays. The problems are even worse at peak holiday times during the summer months and on weekends, when over an hour can be added to a typical journey between London and the south west.

In recognition of this and the harmful effects this has on the south west’s economy, the Government’s Road Investment Strategy sets out the intention to transform connectivity by upgrading the A303/A358 corridor to a high quality dual carriageway from the M3 motorway to the M5 motorway at Taunton.

A high quality dual carriageway is a road with typically no or limited minor road access and no right-turning movements across it, thereby providing a level of service approaching that which is found on a motorway, where mile-a-minute journeys are the norm.

You can find out more about the wider plans to improve the A303/A358 corridor by reading Highways England’s booklet Creating an expressway to the South West: The Case for the A303/A358 Corridor.  In summary though, Highways England is intending to improve journeys to and from the south west, through the delivery of a number of schemes.

This website is about our public consultation on one of these schemes, the A358 Taunton to Southfields.

Why do we need this scheme?

The existing A358 between Taunton and Southfields is predominantly single carriageway and has many local roads and private accesses directly onto it. There are bottlenecks where 2 lanes merge into 1, which in turn leads to delays and uncertain journey times. The northern section of the A358 in particular, on the approach to M5 junction 25, experiences regular severe congestion and delay, making it difficult to get into Taunton or onto the motorway. This in turn adversely affects the quality of life in local communities like Henlade and Ruishton.

In addition, there are increasing capacity challenges for M5 junction 25. The proposed Nexus 25 employment site in particular will create a need for additional capacity at the junction. This is one of the key reasons why we are not simply able to dual the existing road leading into the existing roundabout at junction 25.

The need for improvement has long been recognised and proposals for widening the road were previously taken to a public consultation in 2007, but were not progressed further at that time. The Government’s strategy for improving connectivity to the south west now provides a clear context for the development and delivery of the scheme.

How to get involved

We are holding a public consultation on route options from 16 January to 27 February 2018.

We would like to know what you think about options presented. 

Please take part in the consultation: all of the consultation information is available on this webpage including a brochure with a summary of the proposed route and our consultation questionnaire.

You can also attend a public consultation event:

Public consultation events, offering people the chance to see the proposals and meet with members of the project team, will be held as follows:

* Please note at the Holiday Inn you must register your vehicle with reception on arrival if you wish to use their car park. Any unregistered vehicles may be subject to a parking fine.

Visit a public information point

Consultation material will be available to view from Tuesday 16 January until Tuesday 27 February in the following places during normal opening hours:

• Taunton Deane Borough Council, The Deane House, Belvedere Rd, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1HE
• Taunton Library, Paul Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3XZ
• Somerset County Council, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
• South Somerset District Council, Brympton Way, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 2HT
• South Petherton Library, St. James Street, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5BS
• Martock Library, Martock Shopping Centre, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6DL
• Ilminster Meeting House & Arts Centre, East Street, Ilminster, TA19 0AN
• Henlade Post Office, Henlade, Taunton TA3 5DH
• Somerset County Council Mobile Library
• Blackbrook Leisure Centre & Spa, Blackbrook Way, Taunton, TA1 2RW