Trees and vegetation have this week been removed from the centre of Burnham-On-Sea’s roundabout at M5 Junction 22 as preparations get underway for a major improvement scheme planned for this year.
The upgrade will enable the existing roundabout to be turned into a throughabout, with a new priority lane running through the centre to take traffic from the motorway towards the northbound A38 in a bid to improve traffic flows.
The roundabout is one of nine A38 improvement schemes which aim to ease traffic between Burnham-On-Sea and Bristol Airport.
The work follows Government approval of funding for a series of upgrades in a joint project between Somerset Council and North Somerset Council.
Before construction can begin, a large amount of trees and vegetation are being cleared from the site. Somerset Council says a full landscaping package will be delivered at the end of the project to ensure as much greenery as possible is reinstated around the new road layout.
The advance works are expected to be underway until late March, with lane closures and 30mph speed limits in place at various times.
Somerset Council and North Somerset Council have secured external funding to deliver a series of improvements along the A38 corridor from the Edithmead roundabout at J22 of the M5 to the South Bristol Link Road.
Many junctions along the route are currently operating close to capacity, leading to slow travel speeds, unreliable journey times, congestion at peak periods, and poor conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project aims to improve safety and journey times, enhance walking and cycling provision, support public transport access, boost the regional economy, and help enable future housing delivery.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, said: “It’s good to see this important work go ahead. We have lobbied hard to secure the money to improve a busy and vital stretch of the A38 in Somerset. We understand people may be concerned about the clearance – rest assured there will be a full landscaping package for greenery after the project has concluded.”
Key elements of the proposed A38 improvements include a new through-about layout with signalisation at Edithmead roundabout, safety enhancements at Rooksbridge, a staggered junction design at Cross, an improved Strawberry Line crossing at Shute Shelve, and upgrades to bus stops and walking/cycling facilities along the route.
