Major improvements to the A38 northern corridor heading into Bridgwater are a step closer today after Government approved a £10 million funding bid.

Money from the Treasury’s Levelling Up fund will help pay for more than £3.4 million worth of cycling and walking infrastructure along the entire corridor as well as a remodelled Dunball junction and significant improvements to The Canon/Cross Rifles junction.

In the same announcement, made today, (27 October), £5 million was also approved from a separate fund to reopen a train station in Wellington.

The A38 Bridgwater northern corridor is a major pinch-point and the junction improvements include better layout, more lanes and signal alterations to improve traffic flow, as well as new cycling infrastructure along the corridor in line with the latest Government guidance (LTN 01/20).

“This is great news, working with Sedgemoor District Council we have lobbied hard for the money improve this route and this will transform the user experience for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers,” said Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

“We have a great track record for getting money from Government and delivering infrastructure – it’s core to our ongoing commitment to investing in and futureproofing our network to ensure it meets the needs of all road users.”

Cllr Duncan McGinty, Leader of Sedgemoor District Council said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on this bid and to the Government who have recognised what a difference this will make, not only to Bridgwater but across Sedgemoor and the county. 

“It will bring real benefits for not only road users, but to businesses and shops.  It also links into many other schemes which will benefit from this investment.”

More detailed plans of the schemes will be available to view in due course as part of a public consultation on key aspects of the scheme.