Multi-million pound scheme will make BIG difference

COUNTY Hall officials have said that a multi-million pound scheme to upgrade one of Yeovil’s key transport routes will make a real difference to "drivers, walkers and cyclists."

Somerset County Council has reached an agreement - as reported here on Yeovil Press on Tuesday (August 20) - in principle with the Local Transport Board, a new body charged with funding major schemes, to release a whopping £6.49-million for improvements to roads in the west of the town.

This funding, along with contributions from building companies, will enable highway improvements at the junctions along Western Avenue and Bunford Lane, and the A3088 between Copse Road and the Lysander Road roundabout.

The scheme will help ease traffic congestion, improve walking and cycle paths, and enable planned housing and business developments in the area to be completed.

PHOTO: Cllr Harvey Siggs, of Somerset County Council.

Somerset County Council is now compiling a business case to get the funding confirmed so that work can begin in 2015.

This will involve working with South Somerset District Council, a key stakeholder in the scheme.

The county council's spokesman for highways and transport, Cllr Harvey Siggs, said: "This is the result of a huge amount of hard work and negotiation by the team and it’s great news that we’ve received an agreement in principle from the Local Transport Board.

“These improvements to Yeovil’s Western Corridor will make a real difference to drivers, walkers and cyclists and will help boost local business.”

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