Creating an expressway to the South West

2

This is why we are working to create a reliable

transport network for the South West that connects

people and places.

To achieve this we will:

Operate the route by keeping traffi c moving

and better informing our customers

Maintain the route by taking a longer term

and more effi cient approach to the way we

plan and deliver repairs

Modernise the route by providing more

capacity and better connections

Whilst the majority of the route has been dualled,

there are still over 35 miles of single carriageway.

The A303/A358 route

The A303/A358 route is a vital link

between the South West, London and

the South East, connecting people,

communities and business.

Whether you live in the South West and use the route to get to work, to visit family and friends or to travel here from another part of England or abroad, you should expect to arrive on time after a safe and stress free journey.

These sections act as bottlenecks, particularly in

the summer months and at weekends, causing

delays to traffi c travelling along the route.

We recognise that the route needs to perform

better and have designed a package of

improvements which includes upgrading sections

of single carriageway to dual carriageway. This is

part of our long term commitment to developing

the A303 to become an expressway to the

South West.

Improvements to this route will also support

economic growth in the region, generate

employment and increase visitor expenditure.

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4

Operating the route

We operate the South West region’s strategic road network through our Regional Control Centre based at St Brendan’s Court in Avonmouth. Control centre staff monitor our roads 24 hours a day, dealing with incidents when they occur.

We have a dedicated team that prepare

for emergencies and plan for public

events such as the Devon County

Show, Glastonbury Festival and both

the winter and summer solstice.

5

Maintaining the route

As part of our plans for the route corridor we are moving to a more efficient, longer term approach to planning maintenance in order to keep this vital corridor in a reliable and safe condition.

Over the last two years we have carried out a

signifi cant amount of maintenance activity on the

A303 including:

Making our route safer 2 safety schemes – A303 near Wylye and

A303 Sparkford – these included new signs

and new central reserve crash barriers

Installed 1250 metres of central reserve crash

barriers and bridge parapets

Over 66 kilometres of resurfacing.

Making our route more resilient Over 5102 metres of drainage protecting the

A303 during periods of bad weather.

Improving driver information Over 43 replacement traffi c signs so our

customers are kept informed about

what’s ahead.

We are therefore developing 3 schemes as

part of the total A303/ A358 corridor package

of improvements:

1 - A358 Taunton to Southfi elds

2 - A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

3 - A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down

Modernising the route

As part of our long-term commitment to develop the A303/A358 route into an expressway to the South West, the Government’s road investment strategy confirms the intention to upgrade all remaining single carriageway sections of the A303 between the M3 and the A358 to dual carriageway standard, together with creating a dual carriageway link from the M5 at Taunton to the A303.

ISLE OFWIGHT

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NORTHSOMERSET

BATH ANDNE SOMERSET

BATH ANDNE SOMERSET

WILTSHIREWILTSHIRE

DORSETDORSET

SOMERSETSOMERSET

© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100030649

6

A358 Taunton to Southfields dualling

We will be investing in a dual carriageway link

from the M5 to the A303. We are working in

partnership with Somerset County Council and

Taunton Deane Borough Council to co-ordinate

the development of this improvement scheme with

other improvements planned to M5 junction 25

(to address capacity issues), and to bring forward

the new 25 hectare strategic employment site at

Taunton, at junction 25.

A303 Sparkford to Ilchester dualling

In recognition of the long standing problem of

congestion at this location, we are developing a

proposal to dual this single carriageway section

between Sparkford and Ilchester to create

approximately 30 miles of uninterrupted dual

carriageway between Mere and South Petherton.

The scheme will also include a series of junction

improvements which will help through traffi c.

As well as reducing congestion and improving

journey times the scheme will make our network

safer for customers.

7

A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down dualling

Again we recognise the long standing problem

of congestion on this section of the A303. We are

looking to address this by increasing the road

width from single to dual carriageway to provide

more capacity, improving junctions to help the

fl ow of through traffi c and by moving the road

so that it no longer passes through the village of

Winterbourne Stoke.

Our proposals also aim to reduce the impact

that the A303 has on Stonehenge and this

unique World Heritage Site, maintaining and

enhancing this national treasure for current and

future generations.

Planning process

There is a formal planning process attached to

these larger road schemes which are classed

as Nationally Signifi cant Infrastructure Projects

(NSIPs) and require a Development Consent

Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008 before

construction can start. Extensive consultation

will be undertaken on each scheme before DCO

applications are submitted. You can fi nd further

information on the DCO process on the Planning

Inspectorate’s website:

http://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.

gov.uk/application-process/the-process/.

8

9

Have your say

We are seeking your initial views on our maintenance and major

improvement plans for the A303/A358 route.

You can tell us what you think by completing a short questionnaire

available at our events and information points or via our website:

http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/a303a358-work-to-

create-an-expressway-to-the-south-west/

We plan to publish a report in April 2016 summarising your comments

and will say how we have taken them on board as we progress more

detailed plans.

Between now and 2020, as part of the planning process, we will

consult our customers and local communities close to the A303 and

A358 giving you the chance to express your views on the design

and layout of these schemes before we submit our applications for

development consent to allow construction to start.

Our fi rst round of public consultation for the schemes will be

as follows:

Late 2016

A303 Sparkford to Ilchester

A358 Taunton to Southfi eld

Early 2017

Amesbury to Berwick Down

These consultations will allow us to our work towards identifying

preferred routes for each scheme by mid-2017.

10

11

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