Fantastic opportunity for Yeovil, says council leader

PLANS to improve the road network on the western side of Yeovil has been described as "vital" for the future economy of the town.

The Heart of The South West Local Enterprise Partnership has announced that Yeovil’s Western Corridor - a stretch of highway between the Lysander Road and Bunford roundabouts in the south and the Thorne Lane and Western Avenue junction to the north - has now been earmarked for a significant £6.49 million road improvement scheme.

The announcement was first made on the Yeovil Press on Tuesday (August 20) with the Western Corridor noted for its heavy traffic use especially at peak hours of the day and that funding for a congestion-relieving road improvement scheme had proved elusive up to this point.

But it is not only the road users who experience delays.

The congestion has also severely restricted the opportunities to bring forward housing and employment developments on the western side of Yeovil. The road improvement scheme will give a green light to several major development schemes that have sat patiently in the pipeline in recent years.

PHOTO: Cllr Ric Pallister, leader of South Somerset District Council.

The leader of South Somerset District Council, Cllr Ric Pallister, said: "The announcement is excellent news for Yeovil.

"The Western Corridor road improvement scheme is critical to the future of the local economy.  It is a fantastic opportunity to ensure sustainable growth for the town that matches much needed housing growth with greater local employment opportunities.

"I think this demonstrates the power of private industry, the county council and the district council working in seamless partnership to bring this bid forward.”

The scheme will see the traffic handling capacity of the Western Corridor increased whilst incorporating major improvements to pedestrian and cycle routes along its entire length. These improvements will help provide a long-term solution to traffic problems and enable wider development plans to move forward.

The announcement made on Tuesday represents the culmination of several years’ work by the local business sector, South Somerset District Council and Somerset County Council.

Bids for funding had been submitted to several government funding schemes.  The newly formed Local Transport Board has now given the green light to the Western Corridor Scheme and this decision is expected to be confirmed by the LEP Board on September 28.

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