Introduction
A government-funded Somerset Council Highways scheme is getting underway in June to replace a deteriorating 51 year-old concrete road and motorway junction.
The Council’s contractor Heidelberg Materials will be refurbishing Junction 26 of the M5 along with the A38 Chelston link road near Wellington, built in 1974.
How the project will be done
The contractor will use an innovative technique known as rubblization to completely break up the existing concrete road surface using heavy machinery. Instead of removing 7,300 tonnes of concrete from site, the materials will be retained and recycled as sub-base for the new road.
This modern recycling method, often used on airport runways, will save 200 tonnes in carbon and around 1,130 lorry movements, compared to traditional road construction methods. This is achieved by removing the need to export waste material and quarry and import new stone.
This is better for the environment, but it also means the work will be completed faster, minimising disruption as much as possible.
Traffic management
Due to the depth of excavations required around the Junction 26 roundabout, the project will require a complete closure of Junction 26 and the A38 link road (from J26 to Foxmoor Business Park) for around 14 weeks from 16 June to mid to late September. Access will be maintained to Foxmoor Business Park from Chelston Roundabout under Traffic Management but with some overnight / weekend closures.
The window and timescale for the work has been agreed with National Highways and is dictated by forthcoming M5 works, alongside the need to allow National Highways to access its gritting depot off the Chelston Link Road during winter.
Your questions answered
What is happening at Junction 26 and the Chelston Link Road?
Somerset Council Highways scheme is refurbishing Junction 26 of the M5 and the A38 Chelston link road near Wellington, which are made of concrete and were originally built in 1974.
Why is it necessary to replace the road now?
The road is over 50 years old and rapidly deteriorating. Doing nothing would mean ongoing piecemeal patching with frequent delays and higher costs in the long run. The timeframe has been agreed with National Highways and is coordinated with forthcoming M5 works. It also considers the need for National Highways to access its gritting depot off the Chelston Link Road during winter. The funding is time-sensitive, and with other planned works, the next available window for this project would not be until 2028.
Will it be better?
Yes, it will be a smoother, quieter road surface with improved drainage to help prevent surface water flooding.
Are you widening it or adding lanes?
No the funding is for maintenance only but it will be a much improved carriageway.
How will traffic be managed during the project?
Due to the depth of excavations required around the Junction 26 roundabout, there will be a complete closure of Junction 26 and the A38 link road (from J26 to Foxmoor Business Park) for approximately 14 weeks from 16 June to mid to late September.
What about access to Foxmoor Business Park?
Access to Foxmoor Business Park will be maintained from Chelston Roundabout under Traffic Management, with some overnight and weekend closures. We will be working closely with businesses to minimise disruption.
What is the funding for this project?
The project has secured £5.7 million of Government funding.
How can the public learn more about the project?
Two public drop-in sessions will be held in May in Wellington (dates to be confirmed) and on 14 May in West Buckland Parish Hall from 4pm to 7pm. These sessions will provide an opportunity to meet the project team and learn more about the scheme.
Why can’t you do it another way without closing the junction?
It’s just not possible. We can’t use the same technique as the link road due to limited headroom under the overhead bridges, so we have to excavate about a metre deep and undertake full reconstruction of the road.
How will you manage traffic impacts around Wellington and Taunton?
We understand there will be impacts, particularly at peak times. We will carefully monitor the diversion route and have liaised with our Devon colleagues to ensure no works take place on the A38 diversion route during this time, unless it is an emergency. We will also liaise closely with local communities to address any issues that arise.
What is innovative about this project?
The project will use a technique called rubblization, which involves breaking up the existing concrete road surface using heavy machinery. The 7,300 tonnes of concrete will be retained and recycled as sub-base for the new road, rather than being removed from the site.
What are the environmental benefits of this method?
This recycling method will save 200 tonnes of carbon and reduce around 1,130 lorry movements compared to traditional road construction methods. It eliminates the need to export waste material and import new stone, making it more environmentally friendly and faster to complete.
What about local businesses?
We will liaise closely with all businesses in the area to address any concerns. As outlined access to Foxmoor Business Park will be maintained, as we know it is vital for businesses there. We will monitor traffic management and movements on the diversion route to minimize disruption.
Contact
For more information, please attend the public drop-in sessions or email majorschemes@somerset.gov.uk