IT is believed that the consultation on the development of the A358 is set to be reopened at the end of next month. 

Unconfirmed reports state that the revised consultation, featuring two routes from Taunton to Southfields Roundabout, instead of one, will begin towards the end of October half term. 

It is believed the consultation will last six weeks.

Highways England Ltd could not confirm the start date but said an update would be released shortly. 

Campaign group Garden Town not Bypass Town posted the update on its Facebook page. 

The post said that consultants from Mott MacDonald had said that the consultation on the revised A358 road scheme will start around the end of half term. 

Meetings are said to be planned to take place at parishes such as Hatch Beauchamp, Stoke St Mary and West Hatch. 

The original consultation opened on March 28, but was paused for the General Election. It was restarted after the election and closed on July 16. 

RELATED: Is there a lack of information on the A358 consultation?

Representatives from HE Ltd visited parish councils around Taunton for lively question and answer sessions. 

The main concerns for residents was that there was only one option on the table. 

Somerset County Council also opposed the limited option in its official reply on June 22.

Mike O’Dowd-Jones, SCC strategic commissioning manager highways and transport, said: “The council has for a number of years promoted the upgrading of the A358 as part of an end-to-end improvement of the A303/A358/A30 corridor and wish to make clear to Highways England that it is fully committed to the Development Consent Order process, and supports the principle of a dual carriageway improvement between the M5 and Southfields.

“The council’s view is that further clarification and justification for choice of route is required, and that there are a number of important issues which will require resolution as the preferred route alignment and design is further developed, including the precise location of the new M5 junction; it is clear from the report that the proposed option if designed appropriately does have the potential to deliver the economic, transport and safety benefits that the council is seeking in promoting the need for the improvement."