Upgrades to vital road in Somerset complete
Motorists in the South West are set to enjoy smoother journeys
A multi-million pound scheme upgrading a 3.5-mile section of a dual carriageway in Somerset has opened back up to traffic today (4 November).
National Highways says the A303 Sparkford to Ilchester upgrade will help to promote economic growth, improve journey times, and increase safety.
It is also hoped the new section of dual carriageway will significantly reduce travel time in the region.
What has changed?
- Upgraded 3.5 miles of existing single carriageway to dual carriageway.
- Built 3 new junctions at Camel Cross, Downhead and Hazlegrove which safely separate traffic.
- Built two new structures, a bridge at Steart Hill and an underpass at Hazlegrove, which will allow all road users to cross the A303 safely.
- Excavated and redistributed 900,000m3 of earth and soil to create cuttings up to 10m in depth and embankments up to 12m in height to provide a level route for the new road.
- Planted 89 individual native trees.
- Created 4 hectares, equivalent to 1,352 football pitches, of woodland and linear belts of trees
- Created over 6 miles of new hedgerow
- Worked over 1,000,000 hours on the scheme
Siân Hopkins, National Highways’ Senior Project Manager, said: “The whole team has worked incredibly hard to move the scheme forward and achieve the opening of the new stretch of A303 this November, overcoming a number of challenges along the way.
“This will make a significant and positive difference to the journeys of visitors, local communities, and businesses – this year and into the future. I would like to thank everyone in Somerset for their patience and support since construction of the project started back in 2021.
“It’s a terrific achievement for all involved, motorists and residents will benefit from shorter journey times and improved access. The scheme will unlock greater mobility and be a catalyst for growth throughout the region.”
Glennan Blackmore, Managing Director for Galliford Try Infrastructure, commented: “We are delighted to have completed this vital new piece of infrastructure on behalf of National Highways that will make such a difference to the lives of local people in the region.
“The A303 has been a considerable undertaking for our team and our stakeholders, which has delivered not only a high-quality finished project, but also added significant social value to the local community along the way, and I commend all those involved for their success.”