SOMERSET NEWS: Big plans to improve busy Bridgwater roundabout

IMPROVEMENTS to increase capacity and ease congestion at the Huntworth Roundabout in Bridgwater are set to go-ahead after £1.9 million of funding was approved.

Somerset County Council has been working to secure funding as part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal, with support from Sedgemoor District Council. A total of £1.9m was confirmed last week and this will be boosted by a further £1m from developer contributions.

The improvements will see capacity at the roundabout increased and traffic lights introduced to ease congestion and delays at peak times. The new technology will also enable the control of queue lengths on the link between the roundabout and the M5 Junction 24, allowing the motorway junction to work more efficiently.

The Huntworth Roundabout project also includes improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities which will link to The Bridgwater Way to provide a safe connection to Bridgwater town centre.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset County Council’s spokesman for highways and chairman of the Local Transport Board, said: “It is great news that we have managed to secure this significant sum of money to make improvements at Huntworth Roundabout.

“Huntworth is one of the key gateways to the town and this work will help tackle congestion as well as improving facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.”

PHOTO - RIGHT: Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset County Council’s spokesman for highways and chairman of the Local Transport Board.

County Hall’s spokesman for business, inward investment and policy, Cllr David Hall, added: “This is further investment in Bridgwater and further evidence of our continued commitment to upgrade infrastructure at a time of significant growth and prosperity in the Sedgemoor area.”

A spokesman for Sedgemoor District Council said: “Sedgemoor staff and members have been working hard alongside Somerset County Council and local developers to find a solution to make sure this essential part of the road infrastructure can start.

“This is important to enable and support growth in Bridgwater. This news helps to provide some clarity to the delivery programme which has been a concern for the local community.”

Work will be carefully co-ordinated alongside other on-going improvements as part of the Hinkley Point C project, but should be completed before March 2016.

Further information will be made available once the final programme of works has been determined.

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