IMPROVEMENTS to the A358 and two of Somerset’s busiest railway stations could be on the cards over the next two years.

Somerset County Council has outlined five major transport schemes designed to improve the county’s road and rail network between now and 2020.

Taunton will see the benefits of four out of five schemes, while Bridgwater will see improvements to its railway facilities and the point where the A38 and A39 meet.

This is in addition to the planned upgrade to Junction 25 of the M5, which is set to begin at the end of 2018, and ongoing projects such as the work on Yeovil’s western corridor and Bridgwater’s new Colley Lane Southern Access Road.

Somerset County Gazette:


The council predicted in its report that the Taunton rail upgrade could be delivered by “mid-2019” – but the rail operator has said that it could take longer.

A spokesman said: “The scheme to improve the station is at the tendering process and, subject to agreed cost and final designs, it is expected that work could start early next year and will take approximately a year to complete.”

These six proposals were agreed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning (May 2) – but not everyone was happy about Taunton and Bridgwater being singled out.

Councillor Anna Groskop, who represents Wincanton and Bruton, said that she was disappointed that rural routes were not receiving more attention.

She said: “There’s a lot of funding for the major towns, but no money for our rural roads. They are becoming more regularly used routes for our lorries.”

Council leader David Fothergill responded: “We will spend money where there is the greatest need.”

Here’s everything we know about the five schemes so far...

  • Bridgwater railway station: the station is managed by Great Western Railway (GWR) and handles more than 344,000 passengers per year, according to the Office of Rail and Road. Improvements will be made to the car parking facilities and its links to other public transport (e.g. buses), and the station will undergo a “public realm enhancement” to tidy up its appearance. GWR will deliver the scheme at a cost of £1.2M, with £800,000 coming from the Department for Transport and the remaining £400,000 from EDF Energy as part of its Hinkley Point mitigation funding.
  • The Bridgwater Canon/ Cross Rifles junction: this busy junction is where the A38 Bristol Road meets the A39 Bath Road, not far from the town’s rugby club. To improve the flow of traffic into the town centre and nearby retail parks, the junction’s layout will be amended and new traffic signals will be put in place. The council has not confirmed the precise cost, but has stated that it will be funded by contributions from housing developers, with the details due to go out to public consultation later in the year.
  • The Creech Castle junction on the A358: Creech Castle is a busy junction in Taunton where the A358 meets the A38 heading to the new development at Monkton Heathfield. More lanes will be added to increase the roads’ capacity and improve traffic flow, along with new pedestrian and cycle crossings, and a new cycle bridge on the A38. Under the current proposals, traffic heading east will no longer be able to turn right at the crossroads onto Bridgwater Road South, towards the Premier Inn and Beefeater restaurant. The scheme is being funded by developer contributions and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), with the latter providing £6.4M.
  • Public space in Taunton town centre: the council is working with Taunton Deane Borough Council to improve the town centre by taking traffic away from the main shopping areas. The public were consulted in 2017 on plans to close East Street to all traffic except buses and cyclists, to close Hammet Street to vehicles during the day, and to pedestrianise St James Street between North Street and Lower Middle Street. 
  • Taunton railway station: More than 1.4 million people use Taunton’s station every year, making it the busiest station in the county council’s area. A new 400-space multi-storey car park will be built on the southern side of the railway line, with the main entrance being moved, the forecourt being enhanced and access to other public being improved. GWR will deliver the project, with a total of £4.6M being provided by the LEP.