SOMERSET NEWS: Taunton’s Junction 25 boost is welcomed

SOMERSET County Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council have welcomed news of Highways England's funding boost ensuring improvements to Junction 25 of the M5 are given the green light.

Funding to the tune of £4million from Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund will enable improvements to take place at the busy motorway junction, improving traffic flow whilst creating substantial benefits to the Strategic Road Network.

The announcement made on Thursday (March 16, 2017) also helps unlock access to a new 35-hectare development site which has the potential to deliver up to 2,400 jobs and other new employment opportunities.

The county council’s highways and transport spokesman, Cllr David Fothergill, said: “This announcement is great news for Somerset and a huge boost for the county town.

“Somerset County Council has worked tirelessly with Highways England to secure this £4million funding, which provides the last piece of the funding package necessary to take this scheme forward.

“Improvements will not only ensure the motorway junction is fit for the town’s future growth, but will also unlock access to a new employment site potentially attracting new businesses to the area guaranteed to benefit Taunton, Somerset and beyond.”

Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, also welcomed the announcement saying: “This is further excellent news and a vote of confidence in the newly designated Garden Town.

”We have ambitious plans for Taunton, particularly at J25 where we are proposing to create a major employment site to boost our economy and create thousands of new jobs.

“This funding demonstrates that Taunton’s already first class road and rail connections are about to get even better, making us a great place to invest and do business.”

The Junction 25 M5 improvements will be delivered by Somerset County Council and supported by private sector contributions, funding from Taunton Deane Borough Council and the Heart of South West LEP Local Growth Fund in addition to the Highways England funding announced on Thursday (March 16, 2017).

 Subject to planning approval, the improvements are expected to start in summer next year.

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