Somerset Council has approved a transport delivery plan setting out how more than £283m of Government funding could be invested across the county by 2030.
The plan is required by the Department for Transport before funding can be released. It covers highway maintenance and improvements, bus services, road safety, walking and cycling infrastructure, and other measures intended to improve access to employment, education and healthcare.
Burnham-on-Sea junction proposal
One of the schemes identified in the plan is an improvement to the A38 corridor at the M5 Edithmead Roundabout near Burnham-on-Sea. Somerset Council is seeking grant funding for the project.
The proposed layout includes a lane through the centre of the roundabout, with the aim of improving traffic flows at the busy interchange. The plan does not confirm that funding for the scheme has been awarded.
It also gives greater priority to road safety and the public rights of way network, alongside investment in bus services and measures to support walking, cycling and other sustainable travel.
Council sets out transport objectives
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Executive Lead Member for Highways and Transport, said the funding represented an opportunity to improve the county’s transport network.
“This plan sets out how we can make the best use of significant government investment to improve transport across Somerset,” he said.
“It supports a wide range of projects, from maintaining and improving our road network to investing in bus services, active travel and major strategic schemes.
“Our aim is to make it easier for people to travel safely and reliably, connect communities and support Somerset’s economy while creating more sustainable travel opportunities for the future.”