TRANSPORT secretary Chris Grayling has pledged his commitment to a £2 billion road improvement programme in the south west including the A303 and A358.

South Somerset and Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh has held a number of top-level meetings with government ministers over plans to dual the A303 and make the road safer.

The road, which helps connect Taunton, Chard and Ilminster to the south west, Yeovil and and the east of the country, has been at the centre of planning speculation for a number of years.

In the meeting, Chris Grayling, who was appointed to Transport Secretary in Theresa May's cabinet, pledged his commitment to the south west roads improvement programme, which also includes the A358, which connects the A303 to the M5 and Taunton.

Highways England are currently in discussions over the roads, and proposals should be presented for a public consultation next year.

The agency is also looking at introducing a number of temporary safety measures on the road, after a number of serious crashes on the stretch in recent years, and has used data from police investigations into the crashes to form the plans.

Mr Fysh said: "There have been some terrible accidents on this stretch of road in recent times and it sounds like we could be nearing agreement on some measures which will improve safety whilst the plans for the main works are being drawn up.

"Of course, it is frustrating that it takes so long to schedule the road works, although following this meeting with Highways England I do have a better understanding of why certain stages take the time they do.

"However, I have kept stressing that something must be done now about the Ilminster Bypass and it’s encouraging to hear the investigations have produced some tangible results."

An estimated 27,000 vehicles use the A358 road every day, nearly 10 million a year, with 32,000 vehicles using the A303, and the roads have been branded a "traffic nightmare" by residents.

As reported in the County Gazette, the two roads have been the subject of much discussion in recent years, with former Chancellor George Osborne announcing a £2billion funding pot to push through the development in 2014.

However, the project had stagnated with no progress being made, and the change in Government following the EU referendum in July added to the confusion.

Mr Fysh added that as part of the discussions, he has also pressed for an increase in rail capacity between Yeovil and Salisbury, and that he had also met with roads minister John Hayes to talk about the best route options for Yeovil and South Somerset villages.

The A303 development is separate to plans for M5 junction 25 improvements, which is being led by Somerset County Council and Highways England.