The Council is working in partnership with North Somerset Council (NSC) to secure Government funding for a series of improvement schemes on a stretch of the A38 which runs from the Edithmead Roundabout at Junction 22 of the M5 to the South Bristol Link (Colliters Way).

Many junctions along the route are operating close to capacity leading to varying travel speeds, poor conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, unreliable journey times and congestion at peak times, along with potential road safety issues.

This has a knock-on impact on local communities, the local economy and businesses.

The key aims of the project are to better connect communities with improved walking and cycling provision, improve safety and journey times on the A38, provide better access to public transport and support the regional economy and enable housing delivery.

You can take a look at the proposals and take part in the engagement here. 

Somerset Council and North Somerset Council are currently pulling together a full business case take the proposals to the next stage.

Somerset Council is looking to further engage with the public and key stakeholders on the proposals as they were first aired in 2021, four years ago, and the designs have since evolved. There is also the potential for people to help shape some of the elements involving sustainable travel.

Key proposed schemes in Somerset Council area:

• Edithmead Roundabout near J22 M5: Creation of a through-about option with signalisation of all arms of the roundabout.

• Rooksbridge: Safety scheme comprising mainly road markings.

• Cross: Creation of a staggered junction design at Cross which has been discussed with relevant landowners.

• Strawberry Line Crossing: An improved crossing of the A38 at Shute Shelve
• Sustainable travel: Improvements to bus stops and pedestrian/cycling facilities at various locations.

Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste, Councillor Richard Wilkins said:

Working in partnership with North Somerset Council, we are very hopeful we can get funding from Government to make these improvements, clearly this is a very busy route and road users along with local people would benefit hugely from these improvements.

We really want people to take part in the engagement, funding will be tight if we’re successful and we can’t make wholesale changes to the proposals or designs, but people’s input will play an important role in finalising the schemes.