SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: MP meets with Roads Minister over A303 safety concerns

YEOVIL MP Marcus Fysh has today (Tuesday, August 4, 2015) been  speaking with Roads Minister, Andrew Jones, about the safety of the Ilminster bypass.

Mr Jones is having a whistle-stop tour of the South West to view existing and potential projects involving the Department of Transport.

Somerset County Council said in a media briefing note yesterday (Monday, August 3, 2015) that the “Minister will be at the authority’s Gateway Park and Ride on the A358, next to Junction 25 of the M5 at Taunton” and would be finding out more about the “proposed dualling of the A303 and A358 in Somerset, the Muchelney road-raising and Beer Wall flood-prevention works, and works in and around Taunton.”

PHOTO - TOP: Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh, left, with Roads Minister, Andrew Jones, overlooking the A303.

PHOTO - RIGHT: A section of the Ilminster bypass.

Mr Fysh said: “It's been  great to accompany the Roads Minister on his visit with Highways England to look at the detail of schemes for dualling and improving safety on the A303 and A358.

“He has been very receptive to suggestions and stated his clear priority for both this South West artery and its safety and I look forward to working closely with him over the coming years to deliver this incredibly important project for our area.”

Although no mention specifically of the Ilminster bypass, Yeovil MP Mr Fysh said he would be asking for a safety review of that section of the A303 which has witnessed a catalogue of fatalities and incidents over the years, including a number in recent weeks.

“We are reviewing safety with Highways England and the police and will look at what we can do to improve things on the Bypass in the interim before the dual carriageway works are undertaken,” said Mr Fysh.

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